NEW DELHI: The government will ensure peaceful, secure and harmonious environment in the country in the coming year, promised Home Minister Rajnath Singh today, stressing that security of women will be its top priority.
As 2015 draws to a close, he also said the security scenario has shown marked improvement during the year, especially in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern region.
"We wish to ensure peaceful, secure and harmonious environment in the country. Women's security has been our top priority. We want to further consolidate the trends of decreasing levels of crimes and violence in 2016," Singh told PTI.
The Home Minister termed the 2015 as a remarkable year for his ministry.
"Security scenario has shown marked improvement. There is decline in violent incidents in Jammu and Kashmir and Left Wing Extremism-affected areas. We have taken several steps and initiatives to improve the security environment," he said.
Singh said setting up of Investigative Units on Crimes Against Women (IUCAWs) in 2015 to expedite probe into crimes against women was an indicative of the Narendra Modi government's intention and concern for women's security.
"Introduction of 33 per cent reservation in jobs for women in police forces was also a significant steps in 2015," he said.
The Home Minister said due to pro-active steps, cattle smuggling through the Indo-Bangladesh border has reduced significantly.
Singh said other international borders, being guarded by the paramilitary forces under the control of the Home Ministry, remained relatively peaceful.
The Home Ministry is planning to set up National Emergency Response System (NERS) in 2016 with a dedicated telephone number 112 for receiving all emergency calls and promptly responding to them to help citizens seeking emergency assistance, he said.
Singh said cyber security network will be further strengthened in the coming year through setting up of Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4Cs).
In the recently concluded DGPs conference in Rann of Kutch, the Home Minister had expressed serious concern over radicalisation of youths through social media and other online forums.
Singh had said the activities of the dreaded terrorist group ISIS have been witnessed in India.
He had put emphasis on better coordination between the central and state agencies to check the threat of ISIS, saying the terror grooup has been trying to enhance its foothold in India's neighbourhood -- Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Singh had said the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir was much better this year than the previous years, as security forces did a commendable job in controlling activities of militant groups.
The situation in the Left Wing extremism affected states was fast improving but a multi-pronged approach was needed to tackle the situation, he had said.
Singh had said that due to the personal interest taken by the Prime Minister, the framework for resolution of Naga problem has been established this year.
Addressing a gathering of Christian leaders in Delhi last week, Singh had said the government will not allow any injustice to happen to the Christian community and asked them to inform him directly if there was any problem.
"I want to tell the bishops and cardinals that if you are facing any problem, you can contact me directly. I will try and solve your issues,” he had said at a Christmas dinner organised by Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), the apex decision-making body of Catholic Church in India.
"I will not let injustice happen to you," he had said.
With leaders of the Christian community expressing apprehension over the safety and security of minorities under the BJP government at the Centre on many occasions, the Home Minister had said, "I have always been with you, I am with you and I will be with you. It is not just me, the Prime Minister and the entire government is with you."