On behalf of thisHouse, our party, our leader and on my own behalf, I pay my tributes to thosemartyrs who sacrificed their lives to protect the lives of the hon. Members andto uphold the dignity of this House. There are some important issues before thecountry. We have to take effective steps to check terrorism. The policy of ourneighbouring country is to promote terrorist activities. We will have to movecautiously in this regard.
The security of thisHouse means upholding the dignity of the country. Earlier we had opposed thesteps taken to increase the security of this House. However, such oppositionshould not be there. The plan formulated for increasing security of this Housewas not implemented fully. The hon. Speaker said in the meeting held todaymorning that a Committee was appointed after terrorists attack on Jammu andKashmir Assembly and that Committee is going to submit its report which would beimplemented properly and security of this House would be strengthened. Thenumber of security rings must be increased for providing adequate security tothis place. I would like to request the House that we should cooperate with thehon. Speaker in this regard. The hon. Home Minister and the Government have totake the responsibility of security of the House. They have to take necessaryeffective steps in this regard not only in Delhi, but also within the countryand outside the country. The day when such a mentality develops that some peoplesacrificed their lives and we were saved, that will add to more troubles.
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Delhi is the capital ofIndia and the Government should think seriously about the security of certainkey places in Delhi which could be made a target. The security must be beefed upat the Supreme Court, the High Court, Delhi Legislative Assembly, ArmyHeadquarters and other monuments. The Government should also think aboutproviding adequate security in metropolitan cities and at LegislativeAssemblies, Naval and Air Force Stations, Atomic Stations and big dams.
An hon. Member saidthat we are opposing POTO. I would like to say that on 13th Decemberwhen this incident took place, POTO was in existence, but this incident couldnot be averted. The existing law must be implemented properly. If any changesare required therein, they must be incorporated. The Government should thinkabout the security of the ordinary citizen. The provision of confession and bailin POTO are different. The changes could be brought in the law regardinginterception of telephone calls.
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The intelligencegathering machinery is not so modernised, it is rather very weak. The equipmentswhich are available with others are not available with us. It takes 3 to 4months for analysing the intelligence report which does not serve any purpose. Arapid action machinery is also not available for taking action on the basis ofconclusions received after analysis of intelligence report. The Governmentshould think over it. Our police force is not so expert, strong, modern andwell-equipped. They do not have modern equipments for investigations whichresults in increase in terrorism. The type of training is not being provided topolice force which is required for taking action against terrorists. The policemust be provided powers of investigations and taking action against terrorists.Our police forces do not have helicopters. Definitely there are helicopters withthe army. Our communication system is fragile and we should work for itsbetterment. In case certain solid action have to taken against the terrorists,the Government will have to go in for a long term plan and the plan shall haveto be implemented.
We all know that ourconstitution provides for security and protection obligation both to the UnionGovernment and the State Governments. Thus, the responsibility of Security isdivided. The Government strengthened the state police. However, it is not enoughto strengthen BSF etc. only. Perhaps the Union Government is lacking funds andthat is why, it is not so happening. Secondly, there is no coordination inbetween the States and the Centre. Is it not the proper time when we, afteracting upon our plan, decide here that the Union Government may provide funds tothe States so that they also may act? The Government will have to bear thisresponsibility. We pretty well know that funds are not available, there is nocoordination and the plan is not being implemented as speedily as required.
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The issue of hotpursuit is discussed here. There is an international concept and theinternational law says that whenever a country is attacked upon and the invadersintrude into other country, they can be followed for their apprehension. But ourstand is that the concept of hot pursuit does not necessitate us to go into someother country and apprehend the culprits. This hot pursuit can be done only inour own country.
Someone asked about themedication. The first medicine is the Government should be fully vigilant. Keepon awake. There shall be danger when we shall get into slumber. The secondmedicine is that the Government should use diplomatic weapons. Till nowdiplomatic weapons are not exhausted. The Government will have to create apublic opinion whether the system is correct or not and what exactly Governmenthave to do. We hope that whatever correct steps shall be taken by the Governmenttowards the protection of the country, shall be supported on our part.
