New Delhi: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish
Kumar on Monday said there is an urgent need for a security audit
along the state`s border with Nepal to check infiltration,
smuggling of narcotics and fake currency.
"We have a long 726 km porous border with Nepal. You
are very well aware of the political turmoil and recent
activities in that country. These give rise to serious and
genuine concerns," he said in his address at the Conference of
Chief Ministers on Internal Security chaired by Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.
"We have problems of illegal infiltration, smuggling
of narcotics, fake currency, human trafficking, criminal and
other activities. There is urgent need for a security audit
along our borders with Nepal," he said.
Kumar said there is a strong case for increasing the
number of border outposts for strengthening and fortification
of border outposts for quick building of border roads,
integrated check posts at the border and for joint survey of
international boundary by teams from both countries.
He also said that in the name of security "we should
not loose sight of human rights and civil rights."
Stressing that there should be maintenance of regular
flow of All India Service Officers from the states to the
Centre and vice-versa especially of the IPS officers, he said
otherwise there would be lopsided concentration on one side.
Outlining the initiatives taken by his government,
Kumar said they have initiated a scheme called "Apki Sarkar
Aapke Dwar" which is now being implemented in 63 panchayats of
seven extremists affected districts.
The scheme envisages expenditure on Indira Awas Yojna,
school buildings, rural roads, social security, welfare
schemes and scholarships among others.
He said the state has embarked upon ensuring speedy
trial of criminal cases. "In the last three and half years
(January 2006 to June 2009)...we have been fortunate in
getting conviction for 35,466 persons out of which 91 have
been sentenced to death and 6,765 for life imprisonment.
"In the last two and half years, 454 cases relating to
extremists activities were put on speedy trial and till now
110 convictions have taken place," Kumar said.
Bureau Report
