Antony Asks Forces to gear up to Fight Cyber Wars

PIB Release

Ministry of Defence

17-February, 2011

The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has called upon the Armed Forces to be vigilant against emerging cyber threats. Addressing the centenary celebrations of the Corps of Signals here today, he called upon the forces to keep abreast of latest technologies. Terming the Corps of Signals as the “21st century arm of our forces”, Shri Antony said it has a major role in promoting inter-Service synergy and joint operations.

“The Corps is at the forefront of transforming the Indian Army to a network-centric force. It must continuously enhance its ability to absorb latest technologies in collaboration with the Industry and R&D establishment. The Corps has done commendable work, be it in fielding futuristic strategic defence communication networks, or development of state-of-the-art tactical communication systems. The contribution of the Corps in enhancing cyber security is worth a mention. However, the Corps needs to be ever vigilant, as cyber threats continue to multiply and intensify by the day,” Shri Antony said.

Speaking on the occasion the Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju said that besides being vital to the Armed Forces, Telecommunication and Cyber Infrastructure is a national and strategic asset as various other key sectors such as the Railways, Airlines, Banks and Industry depend on it. Shri Pallam Raju said that I&CT will be a key factor in reshaping the methodology of war fighting in the future.

“Any serious disruption can jeopardise our functioning including our responses to the war being raised by our adversaries. The ramification of cyber attacks launched by an unknown adversary or individual has necessitated a relook at the planning and security of Command and Control infrastructure at the highest levels of national governance,” Shri Pallam Raju said.

Underlining that the modern warfare has undergone a paradigm shift, the Chief of Army Staff General VK Singh said that the Corps of Signals has emerged as the proverbial “nervous system” of the Armed Forces in contemporary times.

“In all future wars, information superiority will be one of the key battle winning factors and future battlefield milieu would require communication system that are secure, responsive and reliable,” said General Singh.

HH/NN
(Release ID :69874)
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=69908

Narayanpatna villagers in a Catch-22 situation

From The Times Of India

15 Feb, 2011

TNN

KORAPUT: People of Tentulipadar are a hapless lot, practically stuck between the dragon and the deep sea! "The Maoists threaten to kill us if we availed government facilities, including Rs 2 kg rice and old age pension. The Maoists often ask us to attend their meetings. But if we do so, we come under the police scanner," a resident of Tentulipadar in Narayanpatna block told some police officers who visited the village on Sunday.

Tentulipadar is one of the worst Maoist-hit areas in Koraput, where people have not lifted their quota of Rs 2 kg rice since January for Maoist fear.

A team of top cops, including DIG (south-west range) Saumyendra Priyadarsi, SP (Koraput) Anup Kumar Sahoo, DSP (Laxmipur) Y Jagannath Rao, inspector-in-charge of Semiliguda Sarat Sahu and DIG (BSF) S K Barua, visited several Maoist-hit villages of Narayanpatna to assess the situation and instill confidence among the villagers.

"During our visit, we spotted Maoist posters in several parts of the area. Through these literatures, the Maoists urged villages not to accept or avail government facilities and benefits. We asked villagers not to be scared by the Maoist threats and avail all government facilities. The villagers have been asked to join development activities in their block," the SP said.

"Security measures taken for area dominance were reviewed and a BSF camp has been decided to be set up at Tentulipadar. Rebel activities have reportedly In recent times, rebels activities have increased in the area," he added.

Tentulipadar's neighbouring areas like Bijaghati, Dongapai, Podapadar, Dungsil, Basanput and Balipeta villages, which were also on the officials' itinerary, did not have a single pucca road on which motor vehicles could ply. However, when they did arrive there, the villagers met them and spoke to them about their problems.

Admitting that these villages have been developed much for the past several years, the SP said: "Road connectivity in the remote corners is in a very bad shape. Villagers also complained of lack of healthcare facilities and education. We will ask the officials to speed up development in the area."

"As the majority of the people in Bijaghati eke out a living by cultivating bananas, the police department has chalked out a scheme to help banana farmers to enhance their income," he added.

In the past few months, Maoists have received a setback in Narayanpatna due to intensified police operation and deployment of BSF forces. Now they are targeting villagers in their fight against the state.

"We are spending sleepless nights here. We are in a dilemma as to what we shouls do. We are suffering for no fault for our own. The ongoing battle between the police and Maoists has hit us the most," a villager at Dungsil said.

Sources said that though police have intensified anti-Maoist operation in Narayanpatna and are taking all possible security measures. But, the villagers are a worried lot. They fear that security personnel cannot provide them security round-the-clock.

"Despite all the security arrangements, Maoists have been successful in creating disturbances in Narayanpatna. Under these circumstances, the people in the district sometimes prefer to cooperate with the Maoists. They are very scared of the Maoists," the source said.

http://m.timesofindia.com/PDATOI/articleshow/7497906.cms

BSF to pay rent of land used for border fencing in J&K: Omar Abdullah

From DNA

Feb 15, 2011

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah today said the Border Security Force would pay rent to the owners of land from the time it has taken possession for fencing of borders.

"BSF will also pay compensation to the owners after acquiring the land and the state administration has finalised an arrangement with BSF in this regard," Omar said in response to some points raised by some legislators at a meeting of the Jammu District Development Board.

The chief minister said the government is contemplating launching a comprehensive City Mobility Plan for the twin cities of Jammu and Srinagar to streamline traffic movement, improve and upgrade road networks, introduce additional commuter facilities including launch of metro service and other programmes in a planned and balanced manner.

"We have already tied up with a national agency RITES to make detailed studies and finalise a report. We expect RITES to start work in this regard by March," he said.

The requirement of additional flyovers and bridges in Jammu and Srinagar cities would be conceptualised in this mega development strategy, the chief minister said.

He said that the culture of traffic lights to manage movement of vehicles in the cities of Srinagar and Jammu is yet to be cultivated and government is also working with two reputed companies to make studies and formulate DPR for this purpose.

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_bsf-to-pay-rent-of-land-used-for-border-fencing-in-j-and-k-omar-abdullah_1508435

Indo-Myanmar border to have helipads; Rs8640 crore budget soon

From DNA

Feb 15, 2011

The government is planning to build helicopter bases and enhance road connectivity along the porous Indo-Myanmar border to enable dispatching of quick reinforcements and other supplies to Border Security Force (BSF) troops who will now guard the border instead of the paramilitary Assam Rifles.

The Centre is also expected to clear a Rs8639.81 crore budget plan in the coming fiscal to raise additional 41 battalions in the BSF which will now be deployed close to that border in order to enhance vigil.

The BSF will have additional 41,000 personnel, four rontier headquarters, 11 sector headquarters after the government recently decided to replace the Assam Rifles— currently guarding the 1,640km-long frontier — by the BSF, which guards borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.

"A security audit report jointly prepared by the BSF and Assam Rifles has been submitted to the home ministry. The proposal envisages construction of helipads and enhancement of road network along the porous and densely forested Indo-Myanmar border," sources familiar with the development said.

"The proposal is under active consideration and advanced stage for approval, including the financialsanction for increasing the strength of the BSF, to enable it to take up he new responsibility," they said.

Most of the posts of Assam Rifles are located well inside Indian territory and only a handful of posts are located near the zero line, which makes it easier for the insurgents camping in Myanmar to sneak into India easily.

The BSF has hence been asked to construct the posts close to the border, they said.

BSF is currently responsible for guarding the Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangla borders and about ten of its battalions are also deployed in Maoist-affected areas in central and eastern India and anti-insurgency operations in the Northeast.

Assam Rifles was entrusted with the responsibility of guarding the border with Myanmar in 2002 and at that time, the strength of the force was 30 battalions.

Gradually, the strength of the force has been increased to 46 battalions. Twenty more battalions are being raised by the force, the country's oldest paramilitary force to take up duties related to internal scurity.

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_indo-myanmar-border-to-have-helipads-rs8640-crore-budget-soon_1508303

Indo-Myanmar border to have helipads; Rs8640 crore budget soon

The government is planning to build helicopter bases and enhance road connectivity along the porous Indo-Myanmar border to enable dispatching of quick reinforcements and other supplies to Border Security Force (BSF) troops who will now guard the border instead of the paramilitary Assam Rifles.

The Centre is also expected to clear a Rs8639.81 crore budget plan in the coming fiscal to raise additional 41 battalions in the BSF which will now be deployed close to that border in order to enhance vigil.

The BSF will have additional 41,000 personnel, four rontier headquarters, 11 sector headquarters after the government recently decided to replace the Assam Rifles— currently guarding the 1,640km-long frontier — by the BSF, which guards borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.

"A security audit report jointly prepared by the BSF and Assam Rifles has been submitted to the home ministry. The proposal envisages construction of helipads and enhancement of road network along the porous and densely forested Indo-Myanmar border," sources familiar with the development said.

"The proposal is under active consideration and advanced stage for approval, including the financialsanction for increasing the strength of the BSF, to enable it to take up he new responsibility," they said.

Most of the posts of Assam Rifles are located well inside Indian territory and only a handful of posts are located near the zero line, which makes it easier for the insurgents camping in Myanmar to sneak into India easily.

The BSF has hence been asked to construct the posts close to the border, they said.

BSF is currently responsible for guarding the Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangla borders and about ten of its battalions are also deployed in Maoist-affected areas in central and eastern India and anti-insurgency operations in the Northeast.

Assam Rifles was entrusted with the responsibility of guarding the border with Myanmar in 2002 and at that time, the strength of the force was 30 battalions.

Gradually, the strength of the force has been increased to 46 battalions. Twenty more battalions are being raised by the force, the country's oldest paramilitary force to take up duties related to internal scurity.

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_indo-myanmar-border-to-have-helipads-rs8640-crore-budget-soon_1508303

India-Myanmar border to get helipads

From The Assam Tribune NEW DELHI, Feb 15 – The Government is planning to build helicopter bases and enhance road connectivity along the porous Indo-Myanmar border to enable dispatching of quick reinforcements and other supplies to BSF troops who will now guard the border instead of the paramilitary Assam Rifles, reports PTI.

The Centre is also expected to clear a Rs 8639.81 crore budget plan in the coming fiscal to raise additional 41 battalions in the Border Security Force which will now be deployed close to that border in order to enhance vigil.

The BSF will have additional 41,000 personnel, four frontier headquarters, 11 sector headquarters after the government recently decided to replace the Assam Rifles — currently guarding the 1,640km-long frontier — by the BSF, which guards borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.

“A security audit report jointly prepared by the BSF and Assam Rifles has been submitted to the Home Ministry. The proposal envisages construction of helipads and enhancement of road network along the porous and densely forested Indo-Myanmar border,” sources familiar with the development said.

“The proposal is under active consideration and advanced stage for approval, including the financial sanction for increasing the strength of the BSF, to enable it to take up the new responsibility,” they said.

Most of the posts of Assam Rifles are located well inside Indian territory and only a handful of posts are located near the zero line, which makes it easier for the insurgents camping in Myanmar to sneak into India easily.

The BSF has hence been asked to construct the posts close to the border, they said.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=feb1611/at094

पुल के नीचे मिली BSF जवान की लाश

दैनिक भास्कर से
16/02/११


दुमका. जिले के हल्दिया थाना क्षेत्र स्थित चंद्रदीप गांव के निकट एक पुल के नीचे आज सुबह बीएसएफ जवान प्रभात कुमार सोलंकी की लाश मिली है। मिली जानकारी के अनुसार, यह जवान बिहार के किशनगंज जिले में तैनात था।

40 दिनों की छुट्टी मिलने पर यह झारखण्ड के गिरिडीह जा रहा था। इसी बीच रास्ते में दुमका में इसकी मौत हो गयी। पुलिस इसे हत्या का मामला बता रही है। मामले की छानबीन पुलिस ने शुरू कर दी है। बीएसएफ का यह मृतक जवान नालंदा के राजगीर का रहने वाला था। लाश मिलने से इलाके में सनसनी फ़ैल गयी है।


http://www.bhaskar.com/article/jha-bsf-jawaan-found-dead-1856096.html

BSF to boost presence along Bangla border

From The Assam Tribune


R Dutta Choudhury

 GUWAHATI, Feb 13 – Border management along the Assam-Bangladesh border is likely to see some major improvement in the days to come as the Government of India has decided to increase the strength of the Border Security Force (BSF) along the international border, while, a proposal has been mooted to increase police presence in the char areas with setting up of more char police stations.
Highly placed sources in the BSF told The Assam Tribune that the riverine international border in Dhubri district is always considered vulnerable as it is not easy to guard the border when the mighty river Brahmaputra is in full spate and smugglers and other anti-national elements always manage to take full advantage of the situation. But the situation will improve soon as the Government of India has decided to increase the strength of the border guarding force in the area.
BSF sources revealed that Assam has 134 kilometres of international border in Dhubri district, of which, 49 kilometres are riverine border, which is always considered the most vulnerable. Sources said that at present, three battalions of BSF are deployed in the Dhubri sector to guard the border there and one more battalion would be pressed into service shortly. The new battalion will be used mainly to guard the riverine international border, sources added.
The deployment of the new battalion along with additional boats will improve guarding of the riverine border, while, new border outposts in the chars located along the international border will also be established, which will reduce the gap between the existing outposts. The deployment of the new battalion is likely to be completed by March this year.
Meanwhile, commenting on the problems faced by the border guarding force in guarding the riverine border, BSF sources revealed that the riverine border is frequently used by smugglers, particularly cattle smugglers as there is no physical barrier in the area to prevent the same and it is impossible to guard every inch of the area round the clock. Though BSF personnel carry out regular patrolling by boats, that is not adequate while, the floating BOP concept was not very successful because of the fact that the water level of the Brahmaputra comes down during the dry season. Sources said that because of erosion, the char BOPs have to be shifted during the rainy season and there is very little presence of the administration in the chars located along the international border.
However, the situation is likely to see considerable improvement after the deployment of the new battalion and BSF is of the view that the Government should provide identity cards to Indian citizens living along the international border as soon as possible.
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=feb1411/at05

BSF hands over suspected ''spy hawk'' to forest department

From OneIndiaNews
Jaisalmer, Feb 10 (PTI) 
The BSF has handed over asuspected spy hawk, captured by jawans from near theIndo-Pakistan border, to the forest department here, officialssaid today.

"After primary examination, it seems that the birdflew in here hunting for prey. However, we have taken x-ray ofthe bird to know if it has some espionage devices inside andanything could be said only after the report comes out," saida BSF official said.

The BSF had captured the bird fitted with a transmitterlike instrument near the Indo-Pakistan border here on Tuesdayand suspected it be a spy hawk sent to Indian territory.

According to official sources, hawks trained forespionage purposes with antennae and other such equipment havebeen caught in the past too.
http://news.oneindia.in/2011/02/10/bsfhands-over-suspected-spy-hawk-to-forestdepartment-aid0126.html

BSF says infiltration in Kashmir on decline

From sify news
2011

Feb 10 (ANI): 

The Border Security Force ( BSF ) has said that infiltration bids from across the border have decreased.

BSF Inspector General, Siddharth Chattopadhyay said: "There were only two cases of firing in the last six months and three cases in seven months. Last year, from January to July, there were 36 infiltration cases. There were 14 cases of infiltration in January alone, this year it has reduced to two."

Last month, four infiltration bids were thwarted, along the border from Aknoor to Samba. (ANI)

http://www.sify.com/news/bsf-says-infiltration-in-kashmir-on-decline-news-national-lckqafjcjai.html

Still no trace of kidnapped WWF trio

From The Times Of India
 Feb 11, 2011
KOKRAJHAR: Hundreds of police, Army and BSF personnel are fanned out in the jungles of Haltugaon division in Kokrajhar district and in Manas National Park in Chirang district to search for the three male WWF-India volunteers who were abducted on February 6, but the boys still remain untraceable. The whereabouts of Gautam Kishore Sarma, Pranjal Saikia and Syed Naushad Zaman is not known for the past four days.

A total of six WWF field-workers, three of whom were girls and the rest boys, were kidnapped on Sunday evening last by suspected Bodo militants. The girls were released on Tuesday evening, but the boys remain in the militants' captivity.

The six young volunteers were part of the WWF team carrying out a tiger habitat occupancy survey in Manas Tiger Reserve in western Assam. Though the security forces have launched rescue operations in suspected areas by deploying the Army and paramilitay forces, including SSB and BSF, to rescue the three volunteers, they are yet to be traced.

A senior police official said the militants had whisked away the WWF-India activists for a huge ransom. A search operation had been launched in Ripu Chirang Wildlife Sanctuary bordering the foothills of Bhutan to rescue them. "The three WWF activists have been held captive somewhere along the Indo-Bhutan border. Efforts are on to rescue them," an SSB official said on condition of anonymity, adding they were trying level best to rescue them. All the forces have already been deployed, the official said.

A pall of gloom has descended on the families of the three boys, members of WWF-India and forest officials since the unknown Bodo militants kidnapped the WWF activists on Sunday evening. The conservation volunteers were kidnapped by a 20-member gang of Bodo armed militants at Ultapani reserve forest. An unknown Bodo militant group, ARONAI', is behind the kidnapping. It is worth mentioning that the abductors have reportedly demanded Rs 50 lakh for the release of the volunteers though the initial demand was of Rs 2 crore. Anupam Sarma, WWF-India in-charge, who is monitoring the search operations and negotiating with the abductors, said the incident left the members of the organization shocked. The young men and women were engaged in selfless conservation efforts and have no political affiliation. "We want the abductors to release them without any harm. We all are praying to God for their safety and have appealed to the kidnappers to release the three boys on humanitarian grounds," he added.

Sarma added that the kidnapping, which occurred at a time when conservation efforts are on in full swing, was most unfortunate. "This will surely hamper the progress of the elephant and tiger estimation in Manas Natiaonal Park," he said.

On the other hand, in an e-mail to the media, NDFB (anti-talk) general secretary N Dinthi Gwra again clarified the outfit's stand on the kidnapping episode, "While there has been speculation and NDFB has been blamed for the abduction of the six WWF volunteers from Ultapani in Kokrajhar on February 6 last, it is hereby clarified that the NDFB is not involved in any way in their abduction and hostage taking." 
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Still-no-trace-of-kidnapped-WWF-trio/articleshow/7471082.cms

Representation of People (Amendment) Act, 2010

From PIB Release

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Law & Justice

10-February-2011

Representation of People (Amendment) Act, 2010

The Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2010 (36 of 2010) which seeks to amend the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (43 of 1950) was enacted and published in the Gazette of India on the 22nd September, 2010. The amending Act confer voting rights to citizens of India who are absenting from their place or ordinary residence in India owing to their employment, education or otherwise outside India (whether temporarily or not). Vide the amending Act, they shall be entitled to have their names registered in the electoral roll in the Assembly/Parliamentary constituency in which their place of residence in India as mentioned in their passport is located.

The Central Government, in consultation with the Election Commission prepared and published the Registration of Electors (Amendment) Rules, 2011 on 3rd February, 2011 {S.O 244 (E)} dt. 03.02.2011} {S.O. 306 (E) dt 09.02.2011}. The Central Government has issued necessary notification bringing the Act into force on the 10th day of February, 2011. Accordingly, the rules have also come into force on the 10th day of February, 2011. The overseas Indians can now furnish the documents self attested by them.

Ministry of Law and Justice, (Legislative Department)
New Delhi, February 10, 2011, Magha 20, 1932

VL:PK:CP: pressnote (10.2.11)
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=69746