The Centre should create a bridge of trust with the states to address the problems related to internal security in the country, chief minister Nitish Kumar said on Monday.
Speaking at the meeting of CMs in New Delhi on internal security, Nitish reiterated his demand for increasing the strength of Central armed forces in Bihar. He also reminded the Centre of the request made to Union home ministry for providing bulletproof jackets and helmets to the state under the police modernization scheme.
Stating that the state government increased the strength of its police and equipped them with better arms, ammunition and infrastructure, the CM demanded that the scheme for modernization of police force should be extended for the next 10 years.
"People have more expectations. Due to increased connectivity and flow of information, people want more responsive and effective governance. We must deliver so as to prove our worth of governing the state. Development with justice will enable us to take on the challenges to internal security," Nitish said.
In Bihar, speedy trial in criminal courts has been going on for the past several years. Due to regular and speedy trial, as many as 71,323 criminals had been convicted by the courts up to March 31, 2012, he said.
The CM expressed concern over problems related to the 726-km long porous Bihar border withNepal. "Border areas are plagued with plethora of problems like illegal infiltration, smuggling of narcotics, fake currency notes, human trafficking and criminal activities, to name a few. Heavy deployment of Sashastra Seema Bal ( SSB) jawans along the border is required. Speedy construction work on border roads and regular joint surveillance on the border by the police of both the countries were needed," he said.
On the Maoist problem, Nitish said the state government had a multi-dimensional strategy in place. The 'Aapki Sarkar Aapke Dwar' scheme for development with security in the Maoists-affected areas was one such scheme. Concerted efforts, like construction of Indira Awas, school and community buildings, rural roads besides other social security and welfare schemes, were being made in the panchayats in identified districts with a view to benefit the poor, he added.
"I have been requesting the Centre to financially assist the state government to extend this scheme to all extremist-hit panchayats in the state. Our approach, along with the strategy of area domination, intelligence-based operations, providing security to ongoing development works and capacity building of the police force, is reaping good results," he said, adding that the number of Maoist-related violence during 2006-11 was reduced by 48%, compared to the figure during 2001-05.
The CM said six special courts have been constituted under the Bihar Special Court Act 2009 for disposal of matters relating to confiscation of property acquired by proceeds of corruption by public servants. Presently, 44 cases were at trial stage, he added.
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