PM to chair meeting of CMs on internal security tomorrow

Activities of Pakistan-based terror outfits and situation in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the Northeast will also come under the scanner at the day-long conference which is being organised by the Union Home Ministry.

Threadbare discussions will be held with the chief ministers on the security situation and measures to be adopted to maintain law and order, coastal security, strengthening of intelligence wing, augmenting police forces and preparedness of Quick Reaction Teams, Home Ministry sources said.

In his address to the nation on the occasion of 63rd Independence Day yesterday, Singh said, "After the horrific terror attacks in Mumbai last November, our government has taken many steps against terrorism. The central government will redouble its efforts to deal with Naxalite activities."

The meeting of CMs held in January had decided to tighten security along the 7,200 km-long coastline, increase the number of police stations, check posts and interceptor boats.

A separate meeting of chief ministers of seven Naxal affected states will be held later in the day to discuss the situation arising out of Maoist violence.

The conference will review the information collection system -- both technical and human intelligence -- its proper sharing and necessary action, modernisation of police forces, procurement of arms and ammunition, filling up of vacancies besides providing training to security forces.

The Centre will stress on making police recruitment process corruption-free.
Non-functional coastal police stations and non-utilisation of interceptor boats given by the Centre will also come for review.

Besides, the Centre will also review the outcome of the mock security drills, which the states were asked to conduct on a regular basis to check preparedness of the forces.

During the last conference of the chief ministers, the Prime Minister had accused Pakistan of utilising terrorism as an instrument of state policy and said given the "sophistication and military precision" of the Mumbai terror attacks, they must have had the support of some official agencies in that country.

While Tamil Nadu will be represented at tomorrow's meeting by Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati is yet to confirm her participation.

Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh -- P K Dhumal and Dorjee Khandu -- will not attend due to preoccupations and have nominated their representatives.