Displaced people to return to Assam villages: Chidambaram
New Delhi, July 31 (IBNS)
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday said the government is trying to restore peace in violence-hit Assam and that displaced people are likely to return to their villages soon.
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sent 65 additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to Assam to restore normalcy in the state, Chidambaram said while presenting the Ministry's Report Card for the month of July in New Delhi on Tuesday.
"MHA has provided additional 65 companies of CAPFs to Assam. The immediate tasks are relief, rehabilitation and providing security. Plans have been drawn up to establish police pickets in sensitive villages," he said.
He further said that the displaced persons are expected to return to their villages in the next few days.
"On July 30-31, 2012, I visited Assam to review the security situation and the relief provided to persons displaced in the recent ethnic conflict. It is deeply regrettable that 56 persons lost their lives and more than 4 lakh persons have been displaced," said Chidambaram.
"They are currently sheltered in 278 camps set up by the Government. The displaced persons are anxious to return and are expected to return to their villages in the next few days. Government of India has offered full cooperation and support to the State government," he said.
Following is the text of his opening statement:
"The arrangements for the ceremony of assumption of office of President of India by Shri Pranab Mukherjee were coordinated by MHA. The ceremony was successfully held on 25.7.2012 at the Central Hall of Parliament House.
On July 24, 2012, a meeting of the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Home Affairs was held to discuss the subject of 'Border Guarding and Border Management'.
Visit to States
On July 13, 2012, I visited Chandigarh and presided over a meeting of the Northern Zonal Council.
On July 30-31, 2012, I visited Assam to review the security situation and the relief provided to persons displaced in the recent ethnic conflict. It is deeply regrettable that 56 persons lost their lives and more than 4 lakh persons have been displaced.
They are currently sheltered in 278 camps set up by the Government.
MHA has provided additional 65 companies of CAPFs to Assam. The immediate tasks are relief, rehabilitation and providing security. Plans have been drawn up to establish police pickets in sensitive villages. The displaced persons are anxious to return and are expected to return to their villages in the next few days. Government of India has offered full cooperation and support to the State government.
Internal Security
On July 10, 2012, sanction orders amounting to Rs.10.77 crore were issued to CAPFs (CRPF-Rs.8.16 crore, BSF-Rs.2.16 crore and ITBP-Rs.45 lakh) for carrying out Civic Action programmes in LWE-affected States.
On July 17, 2012, the MHA approved the inclusion of three additional districts of Chhattisgarh viz. Sukma, Kondagaon and Balrampur, under the SRE Scheme for the purpose of reimbursement of security related expenditure incurred by the State Government on anti-naxal operations.
On July 24, 2012, I reviewed the Ops performance of CRPF in LWE-affected States.
It will be recalled that the incident involving security forces and CPM (Maoist) at village Sarkeguda, Chhattisgarh took place on 28.6.2012.
While some critical reports on the incidents have been published, there is irrefutable evidence that at least 7 persons who were killed in the encounter were active cadres of CPI (Maoist).
The Government of Chhattisgarh has ordered a judicial enquiry. While this incident has attracted widespread attention, I may point out that during the month of July alone 3227 civilians were killed by the CPI (Maoist) or PLFI in different incidents in the States of Bihar (21), Chhattisgarh (12), Jharkhand (107), Maharashtra (2) and Odisha (64). Of the 3227 persons killed, 15 were labeled as 'police informers'.
In one case, a civilian was killed for not withdrawing his son from the State police. In another case, two labourers were killed when the CPI (Maoist) blasted four buildings that were under construction in the Police Lines.
The guidelines for the Central Scheme for assistance to civilian victims of terrorist/communal/naxal violence have been revised. As per the revised guidelines, the sanction order for the release of financial assistance to the next of kin of the victims shall be issued by the DM/DC on behalf of the State Government which will be reimbursed by the Central Government in due course. This will prevent delay in providing assistance to NOK of the victims.
North East
On July 6, 2012, Home Secretary and Special Secretary (IS) attended a high level meeting with DGMO regarding the security situation in Arunachal Pradesh and deployment of Security Forces along the State's border with Nagaland and Myanmar.
On July 10, 2012, the Suspension of Operation (SoO) Agreement with Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) was further extended for a period of three months up to 30.9.2012. Tripartite talks on the demands of DHD continue.
On July 10, 2012, a tripartite meeting with Adivasi outfits was held at Delhi to discuss their demands.
Talks with the NSCN (IM) have reached a sensitive stage.
There has been a favourable response to these talks from different Naga organizations and all sections of Naga society.
For example, all 60 members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly have supported the talks. The Naga Hoho issued a statement on 25-07-2012 appreciating "the Government of India and principal negotiators for working with utmost care and sincerity towards bringing Indo-Naga political settlement at the earliest possible time."
On July 19, 2012, the Suspension of Operation (SoO) Agreement with National Democratic Front of Boroland (Progressive) (NDFB/P) was further extended for a period of three months up to 30.9.2012. Tripartite talks on the demands of NDFB(P) continue.
Jammu and Kashmir
On July 19, 2012, the Joint Working Group meeting of India and Pakistan was held at Islamabad to review existing Cross LoC trade and travel arrangements and to make recommendations for additional Confidence Building Measures.
The long pending proposals of the Government of India to introduce financial mechanism in the Cross LoC trade as well as introducing multi entry permit with security features were not agreed to by the Pakistan delegation. It may be recalled that the liberalized visa agreement that had been initialed by the two countries was not signed during the Home Secretary level talks in May 2012, due to Pakistan's unwillingness.
CAPFs (Central Armed Police Force)
Sanctions amounting to Rs.303.61 crore were issued for the acquisition of land and construction of office/residential/other infrastructure buildings for the following CAPFs:
ITBP: Rs. 9.97 crore
CRPF: Rs. 33.51 crore
SSB : Rs. 134.90 crore
BSF: Rs. 30.80 crore
CISF: Rs. 94.43 crore
Total: Rs.303.61 crore
On July 2, 2012, 3497 posts of ASI (establishment), that is other than GD battalions, were sanctioned for CAPFs.
On July 4, 2012, sanction amounting to Rs.22.71 crore was given to CRPF for the procurement of 110 nos. Automatic Grenade Launchers (AGL) and matching grenades.
On July 5, 2012, Rs.31.70 crore was released to North Eastern Police Academy (NEPA), Shillong for various construction works.
On July 9, 2012, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was issued to prevent/treat/control malaria incidents amongst CAPF personnel.
On July 13, 2012, sanction for creation of 25 posts for augmentation of strength of CISF at BHEL Jagdishpur, UP was issued.
On July 25, 2012, sanction amounting to Rs.7.56 crore was given to CRPF for purchase of 30 ltr. capacity Rucksacks for the force.
During the month, LoI for System Integrators (SIs) was issued by the States/UTs of Bihar, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir and Madhya Pradesh under the CCTNS project.
As of now, 26 LoIs have been issued to SIs out of which 18 contracts have been signed. Of these 26 States, 25 States/UTs have also issued Lols to their State Project Management Units (SPMUs). Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for networking with BSNL have been signed by 23 States/UTs till date, while 8 State/UTs have existing network for connectivity or will opt for SWAN connectivity.
Lump sum ex-gratia compensation amounting to Rs.0.65 crore was sanctioned to the next of kin of six deceased CAPF personnel. In addition, ex-gratia disability compensation to two CRPF personnel amounting to Rs.18 lakh were also sanctioned.
Border Management
India-Bangladesh Border: In July 2012, 53 Kms of floodlighting was completed.
India-China Border: Construction of 23 roads of a total length 700 kms is in progress. During the month, 7 Kms of formation works and 7 kms of surfacing works were completed. So far, a total of 519 kms of formation works and 174 kms of surfacing works have been completed.
Coastal Security: Sites for 10 Marine Operation Centres have been selected.
Border Area Development Programme (BADP): So far, Rs.234.95 crore (23.73 pc ) have been released under BADP to 7 States viz. Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal. The Annual Action Plans of 6 States viz. Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh are under examination.
Immigration
Integrated on-line visa application system under the Mission Mode Project on IVFRT (Immigration, Visa and Foreigners Registration and Tracking) was made operational at the Indian missions/embassies at Addis Ababa in Ethopia; Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city in Vietnam; Moscow, St. Petersburg and Vladivostok in Russia; Copenhagen in Denmark; Warsaw in Poland; Budapest in Hungary; and Lisbon in Portugal. This facility is now operational at 81 Indian Missions abroad.
Six Pakistani prisoners were repatriated to Pakistan on completion of their sentences.
IPS
The Central Police Establishment Board approved the empanelment of 4 IPS officers of 1998 batch to hold Deputy Inspector General/equivalent level posts at the Centre.
On July 25, 2012, the result of the written part of Limited Competitive Examination for induction into IPS was declared by UPSC.
Union Territories
On July 2, 2012, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Amendment Regulation, 2012 was promulgated.
On July 4, 2012, the President gave her assent to the Indian Stamp (Delhi Amendment) Bill, 2012 and the Court Fees (Delhi Amendment) Bill, 2012.
On July 4, 2012, the notification for extension of the Bombay Police Act, 1951 to the Union Territory of Daman and Diu was issued.
On July 20, 2012, the Daman and Diu Panchayat Regulation, 2012 was promulgated.
On July 23, 2012, sanction was issued for further modification of the 'Revised Relief Package of Assistance for the Animal Husbandry Sector' for Tsunami affected areas by way of allowing payment of compensation to all the 5574 beneficiaries in cash instead of keeping the amount in fixed deposit for a period of 3 years/10 years.
Sh. Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, IAS (AGMU:90) was appointed as Administrator, Daman and Diu and Dadra Nagar Haveli.
Disaster Relief
During the month, National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) conducted 3 training programmes with 63 participants on different aspects of disaster management.
During the month, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising 1839 personnel and 182 boats were deployed for rescue and relief operations during floods and other emergencies in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.
An Inter-ministerial Central Team led by a Joint Secretary of MHA visited the Assam from July 10-12, 2012 to make an assessment of the damage due to recent floods for recommending financial assistance.
Census 2011 and National Population Register (NPR)
Scanning of Population Enumeration schedules has been completed. The data processing of more than 25.8 crore (95.5pc ) out of the total of 27 crore schedules has been completed.
The capture of biometrics for National Population Register (NPR) is in progress and, as on date, data entry of 71.25 crore persons (4.57 crore added during the month) and biometrics of 3.95 crore persons (83 lakhs added during the month) have been completed. Under the coastal NPR, more than 37 lakh cards have been produced so far.
Fact Sheets based on 1st year of Annual Health Survey containing the district level data of 8 EAG (Empowered Action Group) States viz., Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh and also have been released.
NIA
Nine Judges were appointed for NIA Special Courts in the States/UTs of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and West Bengal.
Judicial
During the month, the President gave her assent to the following Bills:
a) The Karnataka Mulageni Athava Volamulageni
Genidararige Malikathvavannu Pradana Maduva
Vidheyaka, 2011
b) The Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Bill,
2011
c) The Sikkim Lokayukta Bill, 2011
d) The Himachal Pradesh Excise Bill, 2011
e) The Andhra Pradesh Land Reforms (Ceiling on
Agriculture Holdings) (Amendment) Bill, 2011
f) The Karnataka Co-operative Societies (Second
Amendment) Bill, 2010.
On July 19, 2012, the Cabinet approved the proposal to amend the legal provisions pertaining to sexual assault in the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
Other matters
From July 13-15, 2012, Shri Mullappally Ramachandran, Minister of State for Home visited Mozambique and signed the Agreement on Security Cooperation between India and Mozambique. He also held talks on bilateral security issues.
The drive to implement the judgments of Courts in relation to pension to freedom fighters continued. During the month, 37 judgments were implemented and 198 judgments are pending for implementation".