Lok Sabha Question No. 1821 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Modern Weapons to Police Force
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: HARI MANJHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1821

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 TH  MARCH, 2016/PHALGUNA 18, 1937 (SAKA)

MODERN WEAPONS TO POLICE FORCE

†1821. SHRI HARI MANJHI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  the  present  mechanism  to  deal  with the  problem  of  militancy, terrorism  on  war footing  basis  by  the  Central  Armed  Police Forces (CAPFs) and the State Police;

- (b)  whether the Government proposes to set up separate task force for the States affected by militancy/terrorism and naxalism;
- (c) if so, the time by which the said task force is likely to be set up;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  equip  the  police  forces  of the  affected  States  with  modern  weapons  and  impart  necessary technical training to deal with militants/terrorists; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a): 'Public  Order'  and  'Police'  being  State  Subjects  as  per  the  7 th Schedule  of  the  Constitution  of  India,  the  State  Police  are  the  first responders  with  regard  to  the  acts  of  militancy  /  terrorism  etc. However,  acknowledging  it  as  a  shared  responsibility,  the  Central Government provides assistance to the State Governments in such

matters  by  formulating  broad  national  policies  on  there  issues, sharing  intelligence,  deployment  of  Central  Armed  Police  Forces (CAPFs), investigation by Central agency for mutation of the specific schemes to address problem etc.

(b) & (c): The  Central  Government  has  deployed  large  number  of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in the critical theatres like LWE affected  areas,  the  North  Eastern  States  and  Jammu  &  Kashmir. Further,  the  Central  Government  has  also  raised  special  forces  like the NSG and the Cobra to deal with the specific challenges related to internal security.

The  States  most  affected  by  militancy  /  terrorism  have  raised Special Forces to deal with these problems, like 'Force-I' by Maharashtra,  'OCTOPUS'  by  Andhra  Pradesh  and  Telegana,  'Special Task Force' by Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh etc.

(d) & (e): The Central Government is assisting the States to improve internal security through schemes like Modernization of State Police Forces  (MPF)  Scheme  and  Security  Related  Expenditure  Scheme (SRE).   Under MPF scheme, assistance is being provided under the components  Mobility,  Weaponry,  Communication  Systems,  Training, Forensic Science Laboratory etc.    All the forces have at one time or

## LS.USQ.No. 1821 FOR 8.3.2016

the other drawn resources from the Central Scheme of Modernization of  Police  Forces.    At  present,  with  higher  devolution  of  finances  to the  States  consequent  to  the  recommendations  of  the  14 th   Finance Commission,  the  States  are  well  placed  to  draw  from  their  own resources for upgradation of anti-terror forces. The Central Government will  supplement  their  efforts  by  deploying  the  National Security Guards (NSG) whenever required, who are specially trained in anti-terror operations.

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