The internal security situation of India remained under control during 2021, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Annual Report 2021-22 stated. The report, released recently, mentions that the Government of India’s “due priority” to enhancing internal security has even been the reason behind maintaining the internal security situation in the country.
The principal focus on the internal security front remained on countering terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, improving the security scenario in the North Eastern States, combating Left Wing Extremism and maintaining peace in the hinterland of the country, reads the report.
Internal security issues in the country can broadly be categorized with issues related to terrorism in the hinterland of the country, Left Wing Extremism (LWE) or naxal issues in certain areas, insurgency in the North Eastern States and cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Explaining the action taken to control internal security in the country, the report said the central government focused on capacity building of state police forces through “regular training in the area of intelligence collection, response to terror incidents and investigation” as they are first responders to any terrorist incident.
Besides, it states, the names of ‘Terrorist Organizations’ or ‘Individuals’ that indulged in terrorist activities are listed in the First Schedule and Fourth Schedule to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 respectively. It also said the Central Government has declared 42 organizations as terrorist organizations and 31 individuals as individual terrorists so far.
Apart from that, the MHA actively participated in the Joint Working Group Meetings on Counter Terrorism with foreign countries. The Law Enforcement Agencies keep a close watch on the activities of fundamentalist organisations and groups, having bearing on the security, peace and public tranquillity of the country and take action as per extant provisions of law, wherever necessary, it also mentions.
To strengthen internal Security, the report says the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which was constituted under the NIA Act of 2008 as a Special agency for the investigation and prosecution of offences specified in the Schedule of the NIA Act, since its inception, has registered 438 cases as on March 31 this year, out of which, 349 cases have been charge-sheeted. The trial has been concluded in 89 cases, out of which 83 cases have resulted in conviction
