Tag: Union Home Minister amit shah

  • Shah claims some NGOs involved in religious conversion; opposition to projects to stall economic growth

    By PTI

    SURAJKUND: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday claimed that some NGOs have indulged in religious conversion, anti-national activities and misuse of funds to stall the country’s economic progress, and strong action has been taken against such entities.

    He also said that even though law and order is a state subject, crimes have become borderless due to the advancement of technology and success can be achieved against such trans-border crimes only when states and the Centre sit together and formulate a strategy to curb them.

    Addressing a two-day ‘Chintan Shivir’ of home ministers of all states organised by the Union home ministry here, he said that the government has amended the Foreign Contributions (Regulations) Act (FCRA) which was being misused by some NGOs to conduct anti-national activities, religious conversion, political opposition to development projects and creating obstacles in economic progress.

    “In 2020, the government took strong action to stop foreign funding of such NGOs by amending the FCRA,” he said.

    Shah also said that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will set up at least one office in all states by 2024 to develop a strong anti-terror network.

    The home minister said it is the collective responsibility of states to effectively tackle crimes being committed from across the country’s border or states’ borders, and also deal with regional crimes to make society free from fear.

    “In our Constitution, law and order is a state subject. But we can be successful against trans-border or borderless crimes only when all states sit together to ponder over them, make a common strategy and (make) efforts to curb them,” he said.

    ALSO READ | In battle for Bihar, Amit Shah plans to visit Nitish’s home turf

    The nature of crime is changing in today’s world and crime is becoming borderless, that’s why the states have to formulate a common strategy to fight against it, he said.

    Shah reiterated that it is the collective responsibility of states and the Centre to effectively tackle trans-border crimes.

    The ‘Chintan Shivir’ is being organised with the objective to prepare an action plan for the implementation of ‘Vision 2047’ and ‘Panch Pran’ announced in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech.

    The ‘shivir’ can become a good platform to discuss strategies to counter cyber crimes, narcotics and cross-border terrorism, among others, and to exchange good practices in law and order, he said.

    Shah also said that a large number of proposals to amend the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) have been received, and these are being analysed.

    “In a very short time, we will come up with new drafts of the CrPC and the IPC before Parliament,” he said.

    The home minister said that importance should be given to three ‘Cs’ — cooperation, coordination and collaboration — to achieve the goals of cooperative federalism, “whole of government” and “team India” approach, resource optimisation and integration.

    The Modi government has recorded success on all fronts of internal security be it Jammu and Kashmir, the Northeast or narcotics smuggling, Shah claimed.

    “Our internal security is considered strong,” he said, noting that “35,000 police and CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) personnel have laid down their lives so far since independence to keep the unity and integrity of the country intact”.

    Shah said that all areas considered hot spots from the security point of view have been cleared due to synergy and cooperation between states and the Centre.

    “The areas affected by left-wing extremism (LWE), Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast, which were once hot spots of violence and unrest, are now becoming hot spots of development,” he sfurther claimed.

    The home minister said there is a 74 per cent dip in terror attacks in the country and 90 per cent decrease in terror-related killings since 2014 which is a “big achievement”.

    “We have entered into long-term agreements with insurgent groups such as the NLFT, insurgent groups of of Assam’s Bodo areas, Karbi Anglong district.

    About 9,000 insurgents in the Northeast have surrendered so far and it ensures long-term peace in the Northeast,” he said.

    Shah said the country has made big strides in tackling LWE, recording a decrease of 77 per cent in naxal violence and 87 per cent in lives claimed by it after 2014.

    “Once a upon a time, the red corridor between Pashupati Nath to Tirupati was notorious. States and the Centre have successfully fought this fight and achieved success. In 2014, there were 113 districts which were affected by the LWE but now it has come down to 46 districts. It is a big success,” he said.

    He said a new era started in Jammu and Kashmir after the abolition of Article 370.

    “During the last 37 months after August 5, 2019, terror incidents have reduced by 34 per cent in Jammu and Kashmir as compared to numbers recorded in 37 months preceding the date.

    Sixty-four per cent less deaths have been reported and civilian deaths in terror incidents have gone down by 90 per cent during the period,” the home minister said.

    Jammu and Kashmir had received a total investment of Rs 19,000 crore till 2019 since Independence while in the last three years, an investment of Rs 57,000 crore has been made which shows that the Union Territory has moved ahead on the path of success, Shah said.

    “We have made important changes in the NIA and the UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act) to give more powers to the anti-terror agency. The agency has been given extra-territorial jurisdiction,” he said.

    ALSO READ | AAP to make Delhi ‘AAP-Nirbhar’, BJP to make city ‘atmanirbhar’: Union Home Minister Amit Shah

    “The agency has also got powers to seize properties of a terrorist. We have decided that every state will have a NIA unit to develop a strong anti-terror network,” Shah said.

    The home minister said cyber-crime is a big challenge before the country and the world today and the home ministry is committed to fight against it.

    The government led by Narendra Modi is determined to save the country and the youth from the menace of narcotics and its policy is showing results, with drugs worth more than Rs 20,000 crore being seized so far, Shah said.

    Prime Minister Modi will address the ‘Chintan Shivir’ through video conferencing on October 28.

    Development of an ecosystem for cybercrime management, modernisation of police forces, increase in usage of information technology in the criminal justice system, land border management and coastal security and other internal security issues will be discussed at the event.

    SURAJKUND: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday claimed that some NGOs have indulged in religious conversion, anti-national activities and misuse of funds to stall the country’s economic progress, and strong action has been taken against such entities.

    He also said that even though law and order is a state subject, crimes have become borderless due to the advancement of technology and success can be achieved against such trans-border crimes only when states and the Centre sit together and formulate a strategy to curb them.

    Addressing a two-day ‘Chintan Shivir’ of home ministers of all states organised by the Union home ministry here, he said that the government has amended the Foreign Contributions (Regulations) Act (FCRA) which was being misused by some NGOs to conduct anti-national activities, religious conversion, political opposition to development projects and creating obstacles in economic progress.

    “In 2020, the government took strong action to stop foreign funding of such NGOs by amending the FCRA,” he said.

    Shah also said that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will set up at least one office in all states by 2024 to develop a strong anti-terror network.

    The home minister said it is the collective responsibility of states to effectively tackle crimes being committed from across the country’s border or states’ borders, and also deal with regional crimes to make society free from fear.

    “In our Constitution, law and order is a state subject. But we can be successful against trans-border or borderless crimes only when all states sit together to ponder over them, make a common strategy and (make) efforts to curb them,” he said.

    ALSO READ | In battle for Bihar, Amit Shah plans to visit Nitish’s home turf

    The nature of crime is changing in today’s world and crime is becoming borderless, that’s why the states have to formulate a common strategy to fight against it, he said.

    Shah reiterated that it is the collective responsibility of states and the Centre to effectively tackle trans-border crimes.

    The ‘Chintan Shivir’ is being organised with the objective to prepare an action plan for the implementation of ‘Vision 2047’ and ‘Panch Pran’ announced in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech.

    The ‘shivir’ can become a good platform to discuss strategies to counter cyber crimes, narcotics and cross-border terrorism, among others, and to exchange good practices in law and order, he said.

    Shah also said that a large number of proposals to amend the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) have been received, and these are being analysed.

    “In a very short time, we will come up with new drafts of the CrPC and the IPC before Parliament,” he said.

    The home minister said that importance should be given to three ‘Cs’ — cooperation, coordination and collaboration — to achieve the goals of cooperative federalism, “whole of government” and “team India” approach, resource optimisation and integration.

    The Modi government has recorded success on all fronts of internal security be it Jammu and Kashmir, the Northeast or narcotics smuggling, Shah claimed.

    “Our internal security is considered strong,” he said, noting that “35,000 police and CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) personnel have laid down their lives so far since independence to keep the unity and integrity of the country intact”.

    Shah said that all areas considered hot spots from the security point of view have been cleared due to synergy and cooperation between states and the Centre.

    “The areas affected by left-wing extremism (LWE), Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast, which were once hot spots of violence and unrest, are now becoming hot spots of development,” he sfurther claimed.

    The home minister said there is a 74 per cent dip in terror attacks in the country and 90 per cent decrease in terror-related killings since 2014 which is a “big achievement”.

    “We have entered into long-term agreements with insurgent groups such as the NLFT, insurgent groups of of Assam’s Bodo areas, Karbi Anglong district.

    About 9,000 insurgents in the Northeast have surrendered so far and it ensures long-term peace in the Northeast,” he said.

    Shah said the country has made big strides in tackling LWE, recording a decrease of 77 per cent in naxal violence and 87 per cent in lives claimed by it after 2014.

    “Once a upon a time, the red corridor between Pashupati Nath to Tirupati was notorious. States and the Centre have successfully fought this fight and achieved success. In 2014, there were 113 districts which were affected by the LWE but now it has come down to 46 districts. It is a big success,” he said.

    He said a new era started in Jammu and Kashmir after the abolition of Article 370.

    “During the last 37 months after August 5, 2019, terror incidents have reduced by 34 per cent in Jammu and Kashmir as compared to numbers recorded in 37 months preceding the date.

    Sixty-four per cent less deaths have been reported and civilian deaths in terror incidents have gone down by 90 per cent during the period,” the home minister said.

    Jammu and Kashmir had received a total investment of Rs 19,000 crore till 2019 since Independence while in the last three years, an investment of Rs 57,000 crore has been made which shows that the Union Territory has moved ahead on the path of success, Shah said.

    “We have made important changes in the NIA and the UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act) to give more powers to the anti-terror agency. The agency has been given extra-territorial jurisdiction,” he said.

    ALSO READ | AAP to make Delhi ‘AAP-Nirbhar’, BJP to make city ‘atmanirbhar’: Union Home Minister Amit Shah

    “The agency has also got powers to seize properties of a terrorist. We have decided that every state will have a NIA unit to develop a strong anti-terror network,” Shah said.

    The home minister said cyber-crime is a big challenge before the country and the world today and the home ministry is committed to fight against it.

    The government led by Narendra Modi is determined to save the country and the youth from the menace of narcotics and its policy is showing results, with drugs worth more than Rs 20,000 crore being seized so far, Shah said.

    Prime Minister Modi will address the ‘Chintan Shivir’ through video conferencing on October 28.

    Development of an ecosystem for cybercrime management, modernisation of police forces, increase in usage of information technology in the criminal justice system, land border management and coastal security and other internal security issues will be discussed at the event.

  • Presence of Maoists limited to only four regions in Jharkhand, claims CM Hemant Soren

    By Express News Service

    RANCHI: Chief Minister Hemant Soren, during a meeting organized in New Delhi to discuss ‘Left Wing Extremism and related issues on both security and development,’ chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday, claimed that the presence of hardcore extremists in the state has been limited to only four regions in Jharkhand. During the meeting, Soren also raised issues such as the Centre’s contribution to the development of tribal areas in the State and requested an extension of the Special Central Assistance fund for LWE affected districts in the state.

    The Chief Minister, in his address, also briefed about the effective action being taken against the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) organisations and joint efforts of central and state police forces.

    According to Soren, effective action is being taken against the Left Wing Extremist organizations by establishing better coordination mechanisms between the Central and State Police Forces. Specific intelligence input based operations are being conducted in the extremely Naxal affected areas, due to which there has been a steady reduction in Maoist violence, he said.

    “As a result of these operations, presence of hardcore Maoists has been limited to mainly four regions, namely Parasnath Pahar, Budha Pahar, Tri-junction of Seraikela-Khunti-Chaibasa district in Kolhan division and some of the areas along the Bihar border. I hope that if these operations are continued with the same intensity, then that day is not far when LWE could be wiped out from these places as well,” said the Chief Minister.

    Apart from this, Soren also presented the records related to action being taken against LWE Organizations and crucial steps being taken by the state government to curb Maoist activities in the state. The Chief Minister also informed that due to joint efforts of both the Central and State Government, on the one hand, there has been a reduction in the number of extremist incidents, and on the other, they have been successful in taking action against extremist organizations.

    “A total of 196 extremist incidents were reported in the year 2016 which has come down to 126 in the year 2020.  Similarly, 61 civilians were killed by extremists in the year 2016, whereas this number was 28 in the year 2020,” said Soren. Meanwhile, a total of 85 police weapons, 13,432 rounds of bullets, 515 IEDs and 1,052 kg of explosives have been recovered from the beginning of 2020 till August 2021, he added.

    Soren also informed that a total of 715 militants have been arrested, which includes 01 Special Area Committee member, 01 Regional Committee member, 12 Zonal Commanders, 13 Sub-Zonal Commanders and 32 Area Commanders. As many as 18 extremists have also been killed in police encounters, he added. Talking about the surrender policy of the State Government, Soren said that, “In the year 2020 and up to August 2021, 27 dreaded extremists have also surrendered. This includes 01 Regional Committee Member, 02 Zonal Commanders, 10 Sub-Zonal Commanders and 04 Area Commanders. It all became possible because of an attractive surrender policy of the State Government which is also being advertised throughout the state, he added.

  • PM Narendra Modi inaugurates, lays foundation of multiple projects in Gujarat’s Somnath

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple projects in Gujarat’s Somnath through video conferencing.

    The projects inaugurated include the Somnath Promenade, Somnath Exhibition Centre, and the reconstructed temple precinct of Old (Juna) Somnath.

    The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of Shree Parvati Temple during the event.

    e-Visa regime and visa on arrival have been taken forward and visa fees have also been reduced. The GST on hospitality in tourism has also been reduced.All of this has benefited the sector and will help in its re-growth in the post-COVID era.- PM @narendramodi #JaySomnath pic.twitter.com/MMs7he7NZs
    — BJP (@BJP4India) August 20, 2021
    The temple is proposed to be constructed with a total outlay of Rs 30 crore. This will include temple construction in Sompura Salats Style, development of Garbha Griha and Nritya Mandap.

    Speaking at the event, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani stated, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a new vision to the development of Somnath in last ten years.”

    Rupani was present at the event in Somnath.

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister of State (MoS) for Tourism Shripad Naik were also present at the event through video conferencing.

    “The developments at the Somnath will attract tourists at the temple,” Shah said.

    According to a release by the PMO release said that Somnath Promenade has been developed under the PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) Scheme at a cost of over Rs 47 crore.

    The Somnath Exhibition Centre, developed in the premises of ‘Tourist Facilitation Centre’, displays the exhibits from dismantled parts of the old Somnath temple and its sculptures having Nagar style temple architecture of old Somnath.

    The reconstructed temple precinct of Old (Juna) Somnath has been completed by Shree Somnath Trust with a total outlay of Rs 3.5 crore. This temple is also referred to as Ahilyabai Temple since it was built by Queen Ahilyabai of Indore when she found that the old temple was in ruins. The entire old temple complex has been holistically redeveloped for the safety of pilgrims and with augmented capacity. 

  • Madhya Pradesh CM discusses state’s flood situation with Amit Shah

    By ANI

    BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday and discussed the adverse circumstances arising out of the floods in the state.

    According to Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Shah assured all possible help and said that an advance team of the Center will be sent for damage assessment.

    “Today, CM @ChouhanShivraj discussed over the phone with Home Minister Shri @AmitShah. The Chief Minister told the Home Minister in detail about the adverse circumstances arising out of the floods in the state, relief works, cooperation from various rescue teams of the Center and basic requirements,” CMO tweeted.

    गृह मंत्री श्री @AmitShah से आज सीएम श्री @ChouhanShivraj ने फोन पर चर्चा की। मुख्यमंत्री ने गृहमंत्री श्री शाह को प्रदेश में बाढ़ से उत्पन्न विपरीत परिस्थितियों, राहत कार्यों, केंद्र के विभिन्न बचाव दलों से मिल रहे सहयोग एवं बुनियादी आवश्यकताओं के संबंध में विस्तार से बताया।
    — CMO Madhya Pradesh (@CMMadhyaPradesh) August 5, 2021
    The Chief Minister also thanked the Home Minister for all the help that the state is getting.

    “Assuring all possible help to Madhya Pradesh, Home Minister Shah said that an advance team of the Center should be sent to Madhya Pradesh for damage assessment. The Chief Minister thanked the Home Minister Amit Shah for the cooperation he is getting from the Centre,” it added.

    Earlier on August 3, the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister had spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who assured all possible help to the flood-hit state.

    ALSO READ: IAF helicopter airlifts stuck Madhya Pradesh home minister from flood-hit Datia

    One column of the Indian Army was deployed in flood-affected districts on August 3. Teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) also conducted rescue operations across Shivpuri, Datia and Sheopur.

    The Indian Air Force (IAF) rescued 7 people stranded on the roof of a temple in Datia on Thursday.

    The Chief Minister is continuously monitoring the flood-affected areas. Information about the rescue operations and instructions are being given to secure people, send them to relief camps, arrange food, clothes, etc. 

  • Shah pitches for ‘just action’ by police, says they get defamed for ‘no action’ or ‘extreme action’

    By PTI
    LUCKNOW: Police get defamed due to either “no action” or “extreme action”, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday as he laid emphasis on “just action”.

    “I often say that police get defamed due to two reasons — one is no action, and the second is extreme action. No action is not right as indolence cannot rectify the law and order system. And extreme is also not correct as it triggers reaction. So, the police should come out of no action and extreme action, and move in the direction of just action,” he said.

    He was addressing a function after laying the foundation of the UP State Institute of Forensic Sciences here.

    Shah said the institute along with the National Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar will help the police move ahead in the direction of natural action.

    “Today policing is not confined to what was imagined 20 years ago, be it counterfeit notes, narcotics, narco-terror, cyber crime or cow smuggling. The day is not far when every district in UP will have a mobile forensic van, and there will be regional FSLs (forensic sciences laboratories),” he said.

    The government will work towards making the utilisation of FSL compulsory for conviction in crimes carrying punishment of more than 6 years, he said.

    “Today, the seeds of the UP State Institute of Forensic Sciences have been sown. Once it becomes a banyan tree, a number of children will make their career from here, they will take part in research and will prove to be the backbone of the country”s law and order. When (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji was the chief minister (of Gujarat), he had established the first-of-its-kind forensic sciences university in Gandhinagar. The Government of India has approved Rs 15 crore for establishment of a DNA centre here.”

    He also said that the institute will prove to be a milestone in terms of police modernisation.

    “Though law and order is a state subject, the Centre is taking some initiatives so that the law and order of the country can be strengthened. Many colleges in the country are going to start after taking affiliation from the National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar. By 2024, half of the states in the country will have forensic science colleges,” he said.

    Highlighting the low rate of conviction in the country, Shah said, “The rate of conviction in the country is very low. In some countries like Israel, it has been taken to 90 per cent. India is lagging behind, and the main reason is lack of professional education.”

    He said forensic sciences university will help in conviction, leading to punishment. “When there will be punishment…the crime rate will automatically come down,” he added. 

  • Bhatija and co. swindled central funds worth Rs 10,000 sent for Cyclone Amphan: Amit Shah

    By PTI
    GOSABA: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday slammed the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal for allegedly “swindling” the money sent for cyclone Amphan relief in the Sunderbans region.

    Criticising the TMC’s “cut money” culture, Shah claimed that “Bhatija (nephew) and company swindled central funds sent for Amphan relief”.

    If voted to power, Shah said the BJP would constitute a committee to probe the alleged siphoning off relief funds.

    “The central government had sent relief funds for the affected people.

    But the TMC leaders siphoned off the funds and did not allow it to reach them.

    “If we are voted to power, the BJP will constitute an inquiry committee to probe corruption in disbursement of funds. All those involved in scam would be sent to jail,” he said while addressing the election rally here.

    “The Centre had sent Rs 10,000 crore for Amphan relief. Did you get a single penny? Where did all the money go? ‘Bhatija’ and company swindled the central funds sent for Amphan relief. We will probe everything,” he said.

    He attacked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her government for “not allowing implementation of central schemes in the state”.

    Shah alleged that Banerjee has been working only for her nephew’s welfare instead of the common people.

    “Didi is only interested in making his nephew the next chief minister. Do you want the nephew to be the CM? If not, then vote for the BJP,” he said.

    The Union minister said the BJP is ready to take on the “goons and syndicates” of the ruling TMC.

    “We have to end this syndicate rule of the TMC. We will end this culture,” he said.

    Elections to the 294 assembly seats will be held in eight phases from March 27 to April 29.

    Votes will be counted on May 2.

     

  • Governor calls on PM Modi, Amit Shah

    Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah at their residences in New Delhi on Wednesday.

    During his three-day visit to the national capital, Mr. Purohit is expected to call on President Ram Nath Kovind too.

    Mr. Purohit’s visit comes a day after the Supreme Court said the Multi-Disciplinary Monitoring Agency probe into the larger conspiracy behind the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi need not deter the Governor from deciding on the remission plea of the life convicts, who are in jail for nearly 30 years.

    The Governor’s meeting with the Prime Minister lasted over 20 minutes.