Respected Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singhji, Minister for Home Affairs Shri Chidambaramji and my dear colleague Chief Ministers:

Andhra Pradesh has been evolving a comprehensive strategy to tackle internal security issues and Law and Order problems.

Left Wing Extremism and ISI-sponsored terrorism are the two major threats to the security of the State. With all humility, I would state that these problems have been contained to a large extent.

LEFT WING EXTREMISM:

Containing left wing extremism continues to be the top priority for the Government of Andhra Pradesh. We have created suitable mechanisms to handle the problem at physical level and at socio-economic level. A specialized force called 'Greyhounds' is operating at state level while similar trained teams are operating at district level also.

A special wing named Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) is concentrating on the top ranking UG extremists, and in recent times, a good number of Central Committee members have been apprehended.

The extremist violence touched the lowest point in 2009, in the last 30 years of extremism in the State. It is quite significant to note that the security forces did not suffer any casualty during 2009 in A.P. while more than 300 security personnel laid down their lives in fighting extremist problem in other parts of the country. By and large, peace is restored in most of the hitherto highly affected rural areas in the state. There are still certain pockets in the Agency areas bordering Chhattisgarh and Orissa States, where the CPI (Maoist) exerts its influence on the tribals.

As evident from their documents, the CPI (Maoist) perceives real threat to its existence from the welfare and developmental activities taken up by the Government. An Action Plan with various developmental programmes like distribution of land, generation of employment opportunities for unemployed youth, and creation of infrastructure facilities, namely, road connectivity, protected drinking water supply, construction of school college/hostel buildings and electrification in the remote and interior areas of the extremist-affected districts and so on, is under implementation. Medical facilities are provided under 'Rajiv Arogya Sree' scheme.

As most of the unrest leading to extremist activities emanates from poverty and hunger and lack of gainful employment, the Government had implemented the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Dwellers (RoFR) Act 2006, giving rights to 1.821akh eligible tribal families over an extent of 12.72 lakh acres of land till now. The tribals have been struggling for years for rights over lands under their occupation. Their dreams have now been fulfilled by the Government. The best weapon to overcome militancy is to win the hearts of the people by development. Therefore, the government has initiated comprehensive land development at RS.1200 crores under NREGP for tribal families in lands given to them under RoFR. The government also has taken up rubber plantation over an extent of 31,000 acres benefiting 15,000 tribal families at a cost of RS.150.00 crores and coffee plantation over an extent of around one lakh acres benefiting one lakh tribal families besides other horticulture programmes.

Government has initiated a focused approach to identify and impart training to unemployed youth from interior areas with a view to providing them gainful employment. We have raised two armed police battalions comprising only unemployed tribal youth living in naxal­ affected areas

Our State is also implementing several schemes such as payment of ex gratia and provision of employment to the dependent family member of the victims (both official, non-official/civilian) of extremist violence and rehabilitation of the surrendered extremists through financial assistance. These measures are yielding good results.

We have ensured that no innocent person is subjected to harassment during police operations. A few thousand cases booked for non-serious offences were withdrawn, particularly against the tribals. Thus, a combination of law & order and socio­economic measures has drastically reduced the naxalite problem in AP.

Our Government is now engaged in consolidation of the success by stepping up administrative and welfare works in the formerly affected areas. In this regard, we have sought the help of the Government of India in developing proper infrastructure in interior areas to facilitate developmental activities and also operations by security forces. It is a well-known fact that the main strength of Maoists is the inaccessible terrain. We have requested the Government of India to improve the inter-State road network. Better communication facilities in these areas are also an important requirement.

Our earnest request to Government of India is to expedite the pending proposals of AP state. There are certain weak-links in the chain of security of police stations located on the borders of Chattisgarh and Orissa. It needs corrective steps promptly. In view of the intense activity of the Maoists across the border, strengthening the police station security and providing protection to various developmental projects close to the borders is crucial. In this regard, we requested the Central Government to provide 16 additional Coys of CRPF.

Similarly we made a request to include Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, Vizianagaram, Warangal, Karimnagar and Adilabad districts in the category of 'second priority districts' on par with Khammam, the lone district under Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS). We look forward to receiving the funds under centrally sponsored schemes like Security Related Expenditure (SRE), Modernisation of Police Forces (MPF) and Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS) in the coming years also for tackling extremism effectively.

ISI-SPONSORED TERRORISM:

The ISI Sponsored Terrorism is under effective check in Andhra Pradesh. The last offence took place in August 2007, wherein the Indian Mujahideen terrorists caused twin blasts in Hyderabad killing 42 persons.

The Government responded in an unprecedented manner by sanctioning an additional strength of 37,500 Police personnel in order to strengthen the fighting units of the Police Department. About one third of the additional force has joined the ranks and the recruitment of another one third is in progress.

The Government has responded by creating an anti-terrorist commando organization namely OCTOPUS (Organization for Counter Terrorist Operations) on the lines of National Security Guards. The first batch of commandos is ready and they are strategically located at Tirumala. Training for other batches is in progress.

The Union Government has established an NSG hub at Hyderabad in July last, and we are taking full advantage of the same for training the OCTOPUS personnel. In response to the decision of the Union to set up a regional headquarters of NSG for South India at Hyderabad, we are acquiring around 600 acres of land which is expected to be completed in the next two months.

We are taking full advantage of the presence of NSG hub in Hyderabad for training the OCTOPUS personnel. Quick Reaction Teams have been formed in all Police Commissionerates for urban intervention. Further, there are District Guards trained on the pattern of Greyhounds available under the control of each District SP. They are being given urban orientation in the districts, based on the vulnerability perception.

The State and District level Special Branches have been recently strengthened as per the guidelines issued by MHA by adding sufficient number of personnel for surveillance and intelligence collection.

Government has initiated a series of measures to improve the socio-economic conditions of target population including reforms in education at Madarsas. Security Audit of important Govemment/Public Sector undertakings and vital installations is regularly done.

The Intelligence Security Wing has been continuously training other Governmental agencies in temple security, transport security, railway security, etc. in identifying Improvised Explosive Devices, frisking persons, locating suspects and such other skills. To protect the Information Technology industry, we have established IT Task Force under an Inspector General of Police.

We are coming up with a law regarding security in public places. This legislation will make it mandatory for all corporate groups, malls, theatres, etc., to increase their security infrastructure and training mechanism.

Specialised training is required to investigate terror-crime and crime related to drug trafficking, money laundering, fake Indian currency Notes, etc. our officers require training from IB, CBI, Financial Intelligence Unit etc., as also from certain overseas training institutes. Our Government has taken all steps for the connectivity between the Central and State Intelligence Agencies for sharing of intelligence on a real time basis. Working closely with the Central Intelligence Agencies, Andhra Pradesh Police has apprehended key terror operatives in the recent times.

The Govt. of India is requested to extend the scheme of SRE to support the State Government infrastructure in fighting ISI ­Sponsored Terrorism also. Further, the states may be equipped in the field of monitoring certain technological devices being used by terrorists and other anti-national elements for carrying out their subversive activities.

Coastal Security:

Andhra Pradesh has a long coastline of 974 Kilometers covering 9 districts. This coast has several vital installations like Sriharikota, Major and Minor ports, Eastern Naval Command, Krishna-Godavari Gas Basin, etc.

Our State is implementing the Coastal Security Scheme in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs. We have set up 6 Marine Police Stations in the first phase. The Government of India has sanctioned money for construction of Police Stations and for purchase of vehicles required. We have proposed to set up an additional 15 Marine Police Stations in the second phase to cover the long coastline.

Patrol boats have been sanctioned by Government of India and we are recruiting crew for operating the same on contract basis from ex-service/ex-Central Para Military Forces personnel. Joint Operational Centre is functioning at Visakhapatnam under CNC, Vizag and our Marine Police is in constant touch with Navy and Coast Guard. Joint Operations are being conducted by Marine Police and Coast Guard personnel. We have posted a DIG rank officer with headquarters at Visakhapatnam for interacting from time to time with Navy and Coast Guard.

We are grateful to the Central Government for their support in certain critical areas like Modernization of Police, Security Related Expenditure and Special grants under Rashtriya Sama Vikas Yojana, Special Infrastructure Scheme. We are confident that these administrative and enforcement measures will help us keep the twin problems of Left Wing extremism and ISI ­sponsored terrorism under check.

Thank You