Troops deployed along the international borders and Naxal-hit areas will soon get secure mobile phones, Union Minister Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary said in the Parliament recently. Security personnel deployed in far flung areas do get mobile phone connections on a short-term basis during their period of postings and now government is planning to provide secure mobile phones to all those deployed along the borders and Naxal- affected areas so that they can keep in touch with their family via 3G connection. The mobile phone would not be intercepted as the telephone exchange is under the army control and can be carried by the concerned battalion wherever it goes. For that a US-based company has agreed to provide such a telephone exchange in a box and instant start of over 1,000 secure mobile phone connections, specifically for security personnel. Another US-based company is ready to provide blood-testing equipment that could process blood samples in just a few minutes thereby saving invaluable time of security personnel. The government also mooted a plan for transforming law for cyber crime prevention in accordance with technological advancement and a judicial process to transform the law. There is need to “take care” of the international borders to help curb insurgents’ access to illegal arms which has led to law and order problems in the North Eastern region. Militancy needed a concerted effort by all the state governments along with the active participation of the Centre. What is surprising in North East is that the insurgent groups even get replacement of sophisticated weapons while selling their old arms at cheaper rates near the international borders. The recent seizure of arms in the state has indicated there are some pockets in the region from which arms are easy to get. We need to address not only the methods but also the factors that contribute to the spread of terrorism. The main threat comes from fundamental ideology and twisted interpretations which are promoting radical thinking along with securing the security personnel who protect us from such external threats.
