Among the drawbacks which the country has been facing on the security front, lack of coordination among various agencies. Speakers from various agencies and senior IPS officers during a seminar on ‘India’s National Security Challenges-Today and Tomorrow’ felt that the present conditions should change to ensure foolproof security. The speakers took part in the inaugural session of the national conference on ‘India’s coastal and cyber security challenges’ at GITAM University here recently.
Chief Guest, former Union Home Secretary and Honorary Director of Centre for Human Security Studies, K Padmanabhaiah. said that lack of coordination among agencies was the biggest challenge in India at present and in such cases dealing with non-state actors would be a tough task. “There is no coordination between civil and military, Foreign and Defence ministries, local police and CRPF. Same is the case with the marine coast guards, customs and Navy when it comes to coastal security,” felt Padmanabhaiah. He also said that besides these, the government should also concentrate on individual and community-level security. According to him, national security was the responsibility of citizens and NGOs also.
Former state DGP HJ Dora stated that there should be change in the police’s mindset and their capabilities from time to time and according to the need or necessity. He said that Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh came up with a remarkable change in the Grey Hounds during the NTR regime after increase in Maoist activities in the states. “Such changes should be implemented with speed and as per the need.
Security is a point of concern in India at any point”, said Dora. GITAM founder president and MLC MVVS Murthi said that action was being taken after untoward incidents. There are gaps in the security agencies which are to be bridged.
GITAM School of International Business dean and director VK Kumar pointed out that cyber security breaches had been on rise in the world, where there is a need of minimum of one million cyber security personnel by 2020. The speakers also felt that research and development activities should start from the industries and colleges. Experts from Navy, Coast Guard, coastal security police and others took part.
