GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 5501

ANSWERED ON:06.09.2011

STRENGTH OF TERRORIST ORGANISATIONS

MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI

(a) whether the strength of terrorist organisations has constantly risen in the country during the last two years;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(c) the reaction of the Government thereto and the measure taken against them?

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRSbe pleased to state:-

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI JITENDRA SINGH)

 (a) to (b): No Madam. As regards Sikh terrorism there is no noticeable change in the strength of their organizations during the last two years. With regard to terrorist organizations in J&K, presently, about 350-370 militants are assessed to be operating in J&K, out of which approximately 38% are foreign militants, primarily Pakistani. With regard to LWE organizations, it is a fact that LWE groups, particularly the CPI (Maoist) in the recent past have been indulging in recruitment of cadre in their strongholds. As per available inputs, the CPI (Maoist) has recruited 1505 cadre during 2010 and 1458 during the current year. There are number of UG outfits operating in NE States. A number of these outfits are having ceasefire/SoO agreements with the Government. However, there are number of UG outfits which are indulging in violent activities, including intimidatory tactics and extortion.

(c) There is a security grid comprising of the army, the Central para-military forces and the State Police which act in coordination to counter any threat of terrorism/infiltration from across into the state. Besides, in addition to the conventional methods of border management including border patrols, various technical up-gradations like border fencing with concertina wires, infrared sensors, thermal imaging devices (including night vision devices), underground sensors, trip wire mechanism to activate fence lights & battle field surveillance radars, have been adopted all along the fenced portion to curb infiltration/smuggling of arms etc. Further, in order to deal with the terrorism, Government has taken various measures which interalia, include establishment of NSG hubs at Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai; empowerment of DG, NSG to requisition aircraft for movement of NSG personnel in the event of any emergency; strengthening and re-organizing of Multi-Agency Centre to enable it to function on 24x7 basis for real time collation and sharing of intelligence with other intelligence and security agencies; tighter immigration control; augmenting the strength of Central Armed Para Military Forces; effective border management through round the clock surveillance & patrolling on the borders; establishment of observation posts, border fencing, flood lighting, deployment of modern and hi-tech surveillance equipment; up- gradation of Intelligence setup; and coastal security. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 has been amended and notified in 2008 to strengthen the punitive measures to combat terrorism. The National Investigation Agency has been constituted under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 to investigate and prosecute offences under the Acts specified in the Schedule. As a part of steps to counter terrorists threats, the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) has been created.

The Prevention of Money Laundering Act has been amended in 2009 to inter alia, include certain offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, as predicate offence. The issue of terrorism has been raised at various multilateral and bilateral fora including in the HS Level bilateral talks and in the Interior/Home Ministers meeting of SAARC. India is a signatory to all the 13 United Nations conventions and protocols dealing with international terrorism. In July 2010 India has also signed MOU with USA to Counter Terrorism. Further, in October 2010, India has acquired membership of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which is an Inter-governmental body and whose purpose is the development and promotion of national and international policies to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.