Saturday, October 29 2005 19:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: President A P J Abdul Kalam today (Oct 29, 2005) recommended that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) draw up a reformation plan involving techniques such as counseling and employment to bring insurgents back to the mainstream.

"We have to find a win-win solution for bringing the insurgency groups back to the mainstream development activity of the nation. I would recommend CRPF teams study the insurgency groups problem in partnership with social scientists and draw an integrated reformation and rehabilitation plan for a particular region," the President, the first Head of State to participate in CRPF anniversary celebrations, said in his address at the force's 66th Raising Day here.

The CRPF can also mobilize support of local population in this plan and if successful in one area, it can definitely be replicated in many parts of the country, Kalam said.

He also recommended that the CRPF enlist NCC cadets and scouts in its disaster management and rehabilitation operations in the country.

"This will not only increase the resources of CRPF, but will also provide hands-on training for our youth on managing real-life problems," the President said as he described both the CRPF and the NCC as two disciplined forces of the country.

"Presently, I find, day by day instability is on the rise in society. The prosperity of the nation even if it is achieved by the year 2020 does not ensure the safety and security of the people if we are not able to inculcate discipline among our youth," he remarked. The President also suggested the CRPF use latest surveillance technologies and the Internet for intelligence networking.

"An intelligent mining of the data coming out in many newspapers, Websites and so on can give you ample information about possible groups, their intentions and their connectivities. A regular monitoring of the Internet could give you indicators of pre-formation activities of terrorist groups, their origins and their supporters."

The President said full efforts should be made to reduce casualty in each operation.

The use of new technologies, Kalam said, could provide better solutions for critical operations and force multiplication. Such intelligence systems will help the CRPF to plan and execute difficult and complex missions with precision and low casualty rate, he said.

Also, Kalam said he believed the CRPF was fully capable in advanced simulation exercises aimed at maintaining high levels of efficiency at all times.

The President, who earlier took a review of a CRPF parade, appreciated the force for its accomplishments in border, internal security and civil assistance operations over the past six decades as he recalled independent India's first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's vision.

Kalam also congratulated the CRPF for winning 700 gallantry and 1,600 meritorious service medals. He appreciated the CRPF's role in not only protecting vital installations and combating militancy but also in relief and rescue in the event of natural disasters.

"Recently, the CRPF has made significant contribution to help the victims in the two major disasters faced by the country, namely, the tsunami in 2004 and the recent earthquake in Jammu and Kashmir. You were the first to reach the remotest villages and have provided the essential food and shelter to the victims," he remarked.

"You have also adopted a village named Kamalkote where all the facilities are being provided to the villagers. I appreciate the innovative efforts of the CRPF. Let this societal mission of the CRPF multiply," he said.

He praised the CRPF for winning international recognition for its assignments as part of the UN programme.

Also, the President said he believed the CRPF's full-fledged Mahila (women) Battalions would become useful in dealing with law and order situations relating to women and children.

"Womankind known for its innate humanness, sympathy and compassion is best suited to tackle all problems , including crime particularly in the present-day world where there is so much of emphasis on reformative approaches rather than retributive ones."

The President later also administered a five-point oath of commitment towards the force and the nation in Hindi to the CRPF during the event also attended by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil.