Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today admitted in the Rajya Sabha that the security situation in Assam, Manipur and Andhra Pradesh was a cause for concern.Replying to a discussion on internal security and cross-border terrorism, Patil said although the overall security scenario had improved, the situation in Andhra Pradesh, witnessing Naxalite movement, is grim. The situation in Manipur and Assam has become worse, he said.Earlier, initiating the discussion, Jaswant Singh demanded a white paper on how the goverment proposed to deal with terrorist violence, which he said was on the rise because of its lack of “foresight and understanding”.Jaswant and former Chief of Army Staff General Shankar Roychoudhury (retd) drew the government’s attention to the eastern borders. The General said the Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB) that is guarding the Nepal border is not a “high-grade force” and the government should take steps to counter threat from Nepal. He said Naxalism posed the biggest threat to the country. “The western sector seems secure but there is need for a unified strategy to deal with Naxalism. There is need for a unified command,” he said.Patil said the government would accept suggestions from Roychoudhury. He added that to deal with terrorism, 200 battalions of paramilitary forces were being raised and personnel provided air cover and armoured vehicles.
