Chief ministers' conference on internal security on Feb 1

"The government has decided to hold the state chief ministers' conference on internal security on Feb 1," an official told IANS.

The meeting, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, will focus on strengthening counter-terrorism and intelligence capabilities and strengthening the border and coastal security, the sources said.

The conference assumes importance against the backdrop of the proactive policy being pursued by the government to combat Maoist violence, infiltration attempts from across the border and the success of anti-terror measures.

Cross-border terrorism will be discussed in detail at the meeting.
The present situation in Jammu and Kashmir after months of summer unrest will also figure at the meeting, which will be addressed by Home Minister P. Chidambaram.

Activities of Pakistan-based terror outfits and insurgency in the northeast, combating economic offences, especially counterfeit currency notes, will also come under the scanner, the sources said.

At a similar meeting last February, Manmohan Singh had mentioned three challenges to the nation on internal security front - as cross-border terrorism, insurgency in the northeast and Maoist violence.

The prime minister has described left wing extremism as "the greatest threat to our internal security".

He also highlighted communal forces were trying to divide the society.
The conference will also review action taken on issues prioritised in the last meeting which covered wide-ranging areas of capacity building in the state police and police reforms.

Assessing the information collection system -- both technical and human intelligence, its proper sharing and necessary action, procurement of arms and ammunition, filling up of vacancies besides providing training to security forces are also likely to be addressed.