[Reader-list] News Items posted on the net on Multipurpose National Identity Cards-126

[Taha Mehmood]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Editorial/TOP-ARTICLE--Step-Up-To-The-Task/articleshow/4645381.cms

TOP ARTICLE | Step Up To The Task
12 Jun 2009, 0000 hrs IST, Prakash Singh

The president's address to Parliament unveiled an ambitious agenda for
reforms in which internal security has been given high priority, and
rightly so. The country has been reassured that the government would
follow a policy of ''zero tolerance'' towards terrorism and that
''stern measures'' would be taken to deal with insurgency and
left-wing extremism.

Unfortunately, there is a sense of complacency that has set in here
because there has been no major incident since 26/11. We must remember
that the reason there has been no major terror strike since the Mumbai
attacks has been more due to the international pressure on Pakistan
and the action taken by that country against terrorists operating
within its boundaries rather than any strengthening of the security
apparatus by our government.

As soon as Pakistan is able to get the economic assistance it
desperately needs, it would revert to its old game of sponsoring
terrorism. The manner in which Hafiz Saeed, chief of the banned
Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), and founder of the outlawed Lashkar-a-Taiba
(LeT), has been let off the hook is evidence, if needed at all, of
Pakistan's ambivalence. It is absolutely essential, therefore, that
the government improves our security architecture comprehensively.
Else, all our efforts in other areas would come to a naught. Economic
development can take place only in a secure environment.

It may be recalled that the Rand Corporation, a US think tank, had, in
the aftermath of the 26/11 incidents in Mumbai, clearly warned that
''India will continue to face a serious jihadi terrorist threat from
Pakistan-based terrorist groups for the foreseeable future''. In fact,
it even said ''the threat will continue to grow''. Another US think
tank, Stratfor, also said that in the context of ''jihadi insurgency
along India's western frontier and Pakistan seemingly losing control
of its militant proxies, another major Islamist attack in India is
inevitable''.

Meanwhile, the US state department, while ranking India ''among the
world's most terrorism affected countries'' deplored that ''the Indian
government's counterterrorism efforts remained hampered by its
outdated and overburdened law enforcement and legal systems''.
Government no doubt took some positive measures in the wake of 26/11.
However, our overall preparedness leaves much to be desired.

The police and intelligence organisations in the states continue to be
in poor shape. The majority of states have been lackadaisical in
implementing the Supreme Court's directions on police reforms. The
Centre has been dragging its feet over introducing the Model Police
Bill for Delhi and the Union territories. The police force is woefully
short of manpower, apart from the fact that a sizeable chunk of the
force is diverted to protect so-called VIPs. There is misplaced
emphasis on open-ended expansion of the paramilitary forces. What we
need to actually augment is the civil police force.

The 'thana' does not inspire any confidence either by its appearance
or by its resources and equipment. Beat constables, the crucial link
in internal security, exist on paper alone. Modernisation of the
police has been slow, as has been highlighted by the Comptroller and
Auditor General. Recruitment procedures are tainted and training
continues to be neglected. The executive has, in some states,
devastated the chain of command with deleterious effects on discipline
in the ranks. If the morale of the police is low today, it's thanks to
the politicians and the bureaucracy.

The Congress party, in its manifesto, recognised the ''imperative of
police reforms''. It stated, ''A clear distinction between the
political executive and police administration will be made''. The
manifesto also assured that the police force ''will be better
provisioned especially in the matter of housing and educational
facilities''. The president has also reiterated the government's
commitment to police reforms. It is high time that these promises are
acted upon.

At the national level, our anti-terror policy must be defined in
explicit terms. The National Investigating Agency and the Central
Bureau of Investigation need to be merged. Having two parallel central
investigating agencies makes no sense. The performance of the Research
& Analysis Wing remains a matter of concern. It must develop offensive
capabilities. The Intelligence Bureau needs to be depoliticised. The
National Security Council is almost dysfunctional and the National
Security Advisory Board has become a parking spot for retired officers
who are in the good books of the establishment.

The problem of Bangladeshi immigration was dusted under the carpet by
all previous governments. That cannot continue. To start with, fencing
our borders with Bangladesh should be completed expeditiously
overruling all political objections at the local level. The scheme to
give multi-purpose identity cards to all Indian citizens should be
implemented post-haste. In due course, government must prevail upon
Bangladesh to accept the fact of illegal immigration and take back at
least some of its nationals on the basis of a mutually agreed cut-off
date.

It was unfortunate that in the wake of 26/11, the government did not
appoint a national commission to examine the lapses in security and
suggest comprehensive measures to overhaul the security matrix.
Perhaps those in power scuttled the proposal lest they were exposed
and held accountable. Though belated, the new government may still
consider appointing such a commission to investigate systemic failures
and recommend appropriate remedial measures.

The writer is a former director-general, BSF.