CMs to talk Naxals,communalism today

From Left Wing Extremism to strengthening of intelligence wing to communal harmony the chief ministers conference on internal security

From Left Wing Extremism to strengthening of intelligence wing to communal harmony the chief ministers conference on internal security on Wednesday will discuss ways to improve mega city policing and tackle rising crime against women.

The Home Ministry has suggested the states to raise separate intelligence cadre by conducting separate recruitment with different eligibility condition. The Centre is of the view that policemen posted in special branch,tasked with gathering intelligence,treat the posting as punishment. This attitude needs to be changed and the officers need to be recruited with attitude and orientation for intelligence work.

In wake of the rising instances of communal tensions,the Centre has proposed that states need to deliberate on the pending communal Bill. It has said that in 2012,668 incidents of communal violence were reported across the country in which 94 persons lost their lives registering a rise of 17 per cent in incidents and 3 per cent in deaths as compared to 2011.

According to the the Home Ministry,the worst hit states were Uttar Pradesh,Madhya Pradesh,Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

After the recent Naxal attack on the Congress convoy in Chhatishgarh,the Home Ministry convened a special session with nine Naxal-affected states to discuss strategy to counter the growing menace of the red brigade.

The Centre feels the states need to focus on enhancing security,ensuring rights of local communities,good governance and public perception management. The Home Ministry has said that Jharkhand,where Presidents rule has been imposed,is the worst hit among the Naxal-affected states,followed by Chhattisgarh,Orissa and Bihar.

While asking the states to expedite police modernisation schemes,the Centre also plans to discuss ways to create better infrastructure and train police personnel,acquire modern arms and equipment and vehicles. The chief ministers meeting will discuss ways to improve community policing and bring professionalism in investigation by separating law and order from investigation.

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The Union Home Ministry has directed the states to procure non-lethal weapons for crowd control and implement prison reforms and modernisation of jails.