India’s internal security landscape has changed from “geographical concerns’’ like Jammu and Kashmir terrorism, Left-wing extremism, northeast separatism to “thematic threats’’ like cyber security, data security and other multidimensional threats, like narco terror and fourth-generation warfare, said union home minister Amit Shah, addressing nearly 600 police officers from across states gathered in the national capital for the 57th DGPs and IGsP Conference on Friday.
To keep the country on an enviable growth trajectory, Shah said the role of law enforcement agencies is critical by focusing on urban policing, capacity building, police technology, critical infrastructure security and securing digital goods.
Shah’s emphasis was twofold- the fact that India can neither be ignored nor stopped from moving forward under Prime Minister Narendra Modi--the hosting of the G20 is an example--and how beating all odds the police forces, paramilitary forces and central agencies have responded promptly in challenging times, which has been appreciated by the citizens.
"We have to remember that the entire world has now accepted the fact that India can no longer be tied back. In a recent report, Morgan Stanley said that by 2027, we will become the world's third-largest economy," he said. "I am not saying this on the basis of the survey alone but on the basis of our track record. In 2014, our economy was 11th largest in the world and we had remained in the same status in the decade prior to it. But, within the period starting from 2014 to January 2023, we have jumped from 11th to 5th position,’’ said Shah.
Shah said Indian agencies have succeeded in establishing their strong dominance. The way forward is for the police to cope with the changing times. The DGP conference itself has travelled the length and breadth of the country since 2014 to reach Delhi in 2023. The idea behind the exercise was the give a flavour of various theatres, best practices as well as a clear message to the police brass that there was no escaping field work, constant innovation and quick adaptation to meet the multidimensional challenges of internal security.
The exercise culminating in Delhi, a year ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, is also indicative of the national security approach of the home minister who has not been shy of taking decisions like the abrogation of Article 370 and the recent crackdown on the Popular Front of India proscribed by the MHA last year. “All the states cooperated in nabbing the PFI culprits, It shows the power of India's cooperative federalism and maturity as a democracy where we can be on the same side on issues related to security,’’ he said.
Shah lauded the agencies for successfully maintaining peace by and large despite many odds.
He said that Jammu and Kashmir, Northeast and Left wing-affected area were the three hotspots, but the situation has drastically improved under Modi government. “This shows that we are on the right track and our goal lies at the end of our path."
In Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said terror incidents, deaths and terrorist-dominated areas have drastically diminished. “Today we can say that Jammu and Kashmir is slowly heading towards peace and stability. 32,000 children from different states are studying there which has enhanced the trust of the people there and also that of the nation.”
He said, “Jammu and Kashmir broke all records of tourist footfall in the region in 2022, the total number of tourists stood at 1.80 crores, which shows that the entire nation is convinced that peace is returning to the region.” "I congratulate Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, BSF, IB, RAW as their efforts are slowly bearing fruit," he added.
In Northeast, he said nine different groups have surrendered and signed peace accords to return to the mainstream. “More than 9,000 insurgents that donned guns earlier now have surrendered and handed over weapons to authorities. Three border disputes among the states in the region have been resolved and I can claim with immense faith that when we will sit together in the next year, the remaining four disputes will also stand resolved."
He said AFSPA has been removed from 30 per cent of the area in the region. “We have not done this to fulfil any political demand. We have assessed the situation and removed it after we found it normal. It shows that there is increasing peace in the region and a steep decline of more than 42 per cent in violence has been witnessed."
On LWE, Shah said there has been a huge success. “In 2010, there were 96 terror-affected districts, now there are only 46 districts left. Similarly, 72 per cent of the security vacuum has been plugged and I have complete faith that by 2024 we will plug 100 per cent vacuum and take absolute control of the situation.”
On Friday, the police brass discussed security challenges along the Land Borders with Nepal and Myanmar, strategies to identify overstaying foreigners in India and targeting of Maoist strongholds. Over the next two days, the top police leadership of the country will discuss emerging security challenges and opportunities along with experts, field functionaries and academia.
The format of the DGP meet has changed from the time of the UPA tenure when closed-door discussions were held by the top cops, after the prime minister and home minister had addressed the gathering. In the current format, the idea is to engage - the prime minister and home minister engage with the police officers through talks and sessions, even as experts are being roped in to derive greater results.
As the police brass goes back to their respective states on Sunday, the takeaway will also be to collaborate on the next big event across 56 cities that will be hosting the 200 G20 meetings. Shah shared the PM’s vision that India should be able to avail optimum benefits of the G20 summits. "All of us know that India is chairing the G20 meet and our Prime minister has made a unique effort of selecting 56 cities to host more than 200 G20 meetings,’’ he said. Mr Modi will address the top cops on Saturday.