News Analysis India

Tag: Rajnath Singh

  • Residents of border areas strategic

    Union home minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that people residing in the border areas are the biggest strategic asset for the country.
    The government will build 1,400 new bunkers for individual households in order to provide security to those who face shelling by Pakistani forces. “All those who live on the border areas are not only common citizens, but the biggest strategic asset for the country. To provide them security, we have instructed to construct 1,400 new bunkers and the state government has also assured to get them ready in a few months”, said Rajnath Singh, while addressing reporters on the completion of four years of the NDA government at the Centre.

    Replying to a query on residents being forced to flee their homes along the Line of Control (LoC) due to frequent shelling by Pakistan, Singh said that India wants peace with its neighbours, including Pakistan, and prefers to maintain ceasefire on the border.

    But Pakistan’s unprovoked ceasefire violations have compelled India to give a befitting reply along the border in Jammu and Kashmir region. India also wants Pakistan to control terrorism which doesn’t seem to be working. “Recently, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) from both India and Pakistan held talks over ceasefire violations and decided to stick to the commitment. If India would not have retaliated, how could Pakistan agree for an agreement”, said Singh.

    Pakistan must stop sponsoring terrorism and cooperate with India in dealing with terrorists, Sing said, as he claimed that there has been considerable improvement in the national security situation of India during the four-year rule of the Modi government.

  • Bastariya Battalion to take on Naxal threat

    Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said Naxalism was a challenge but it was fast shrinking and losing ground across the country. He was speaking at the passing out parade of the newly-formed Bastariya Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at Ambikapur in Surguja district.

    The battalion is named ‘Bastariya’ as the force comprises of locals — both male and female — from Dantewada, Bijapur, Sukma and Narayanpur — some of the worst Maoist-affected districts in Bastar.

    Singh said the decision to set up the battalion was taken in view of the courage and valour shown by the tribal people to take on any tough challenge. “Naxalism and extremism are a challenge, but I want to say that this menace is now shrinking and losing ground,” Singh said.Appreciating efforts of CRPF and the Chhattisgarh police in curbing Naxal activities, he said casualties in the police force from rebels attacks have also gone down. “Life of a jawan killed in Maoist prone regions can’t be compensated with money, yet, as a token of gratitude the government has decided to provide Rs 1 crore to the family of the martyred jawan. It is because of (CRPF and dstrict personnel) that the casualties of security forces have also gone down by nearly 53%-55%. The geographical expanse where Maoists are active has also decreased by 40%-45%,” Singh said.