Ex-J&K governor Vohra expresses concern over 'growing violent activities'

While delivering the first K P S Gill memorial lecture on ''National Security-Some Concerns'' at Indian School of Business here, Vohra said it is essential to ensure that sustained normalcy prevails in the country as in its absence it would not be possible to achieve growth and development.

Former Jammu and Kashmir governor N N Vohra Thursday expressed concern over "growing violent activities" of groups agitating for their demands, saying it is another "species of threat" to law and order in the country.

While delivering the first K P S Gill memorial lecture on ''National Security-Some Concerns'' at Indian School of Business here, Vohra said it is essential to ensure that sustained normalcy prevails in the country as in its absence it would not be possible to achieve growth and development.

"We also need to be concerned about yet another species of a threat to maintaining law and order. This relates to the growing violent activities of varied community groups which have been launching agitations to press their demands in respect of issues they have chosen to espouse," he said.

He said there have been massive agitations in several states, particularly in north India, against cow slaughter and the sale and consumption of buffalo meat, which caused loss of livelihoods of thousands.

"Some of these agitating groups took the law in their hands, held roadside trials of innocent persons, beat them mercilessly and even lynched them..." Vohra said here.

He said it is regrettable that even after seven decades of attaining independence, most of the states have still to give due attention to ensure the satisfactory functioning of their constabularies.

He said the shortcomings in the functioning of police organisations arise from the failure of states to provide optimum budgetary support on regular basis to enable police to be properly trained, equipped and maintained in required strength.

Besides, the unceasing politicisation to which police forces have been subjected and the failure to provide attention for building the strength and capabilities of the investigation, prosecution and forensic agencies, he said.

Vohra also expressed concern over the growth of cyber and information warfares, pointing out that its emergence is most dangerous instruments of non-military attacks.

"Cyberspace and digitisation have made time and distance altogether irrelevant. Terrorist and radical groups, operating at great distances, from different countries, have been utilising the cyberspace for carrying out their propaganda, recruitment and training," he said.