Recurrent terror attacks common under UPA are now history: Modi
New Delhi, July 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that there has been significant improvement in the internal security situation in the last four years with "recurrent terror attacks that were common under the UPA" now being history and Maoist violence declining by 20 per cent in the affected areas.
In an interview with 'Swarajya' magazine, the Prime Minister said: "I would like to salute our brave security forces who are eternally vigilant and are ensuring peace as well as prosperity for 125 crore Indians.
"You can ascertain our security situation from the fact that recurrent terror attacks that were common under the UPA are now history."
Describing his vision for Jammu and Kashmir, which is under Governor's rule after the BJP withdrew its support last month from the ruling coalition led by the PDP, Modi said: "In Kashmir, our goal is good governance, development, responsibility and accountability."
Asked about possibility of dialogue with stakeholders in Kashmir, he avoided a direct answer.
"We have appointed an interlocutor and he is in touch with many people. He is travelling to the interiors and engaging with people."
On Maoist front, the Prime Minister said geographically, the influence of Maoist violence has shrunk substantially.
"The numbers vis-a-vis Maoist violence in the last four years should make every Indian happy. Maoist violence has declined by 20 per cent in the affected states, with a concomitant reduction of 34 per cent in deaths in 2017 compared to 2013," he said.
Asked whether the area under Left Wing Extremism (LWE) has really shrunk, Modi said 44 out of 126 districts have been removed from the list of LWE-affected areas based on changed ground realities.
"These are the districts that did not see any violence for the last four years.
"It (LWE) adversely impacts the psyche of the local population... Due to the government's policies, about 3,380 Maoists surrendered from 2014 to 2017. From 2010 to 2013, the number stood around 1,380," he said.
Asserting that only development can solve people's problems, Modi said that his government adopted the approach to devote unparalleled resources towards the development of areas prone to violence.
"It is true that Maoist violence had stalled the progress of many districts in central and eastern India. That is why in 2015, our government formulated a comprehensive 'National Policy and Action Plan' to eradicate Maoist violence.
"Along with zero tolerance towards violence, we have also focused on a massive push to infrastructure and social empowerment to bring a positive change in the lives of the poor people in these regions.
"The unparalleled development focus is reaping rich dividends," he said, adding that about 4,500 km of roads have already been built in 34 Maoist-affected districts.
"Work at such speed and scale was not even imaginable," Modi said.
Asked about the threat to his life, the Prime Minister said: "Whenever I am travelling, I see that a lot of people, from all age groups and sections of society, are out on the streets to greet me and welcome me.
"I can't just remain seated in my car, aloof from their display of affection and care. That is why I invariably get down and greet, interact with people as much as I can.
"I am not a Shahenshah or an imperious ruler who is unaffected by their warmth. Being among people gives me lot of strength," he said.
Modi also said the security situation in the Northeast has improved tremendously.
"In 2017, we had the lowest insurgency-related incidents and casualties among civilians and security forces in the last 20 years," he said.
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Goa nightclub fire: Co-owner Ajay Gupta's police remand extended by four days
Panaji (PTI): A Goa court on Thursday extended by four days the police remand of Ajay Gupta, co-owner of Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, where a devastating fire on December 6 killed 25 persons.
Gupta was arrested from New Delhi on December 10. A court in Mapusa had remanded him in police custody for seven days at the time.
Gupta was presented before the lower court, which sent him to four-day police custody as his initial remand was expiring, his advocate Rohan Desai told reporters.
"Gupta had complained about back pain. The court ordered his medical examination, after which he was allowed use of a mattress in custody. He was examined by a specialised doctor at Goa Medical College and Hospital near here," the lawyer said.
Twenty-five persons, including 20 staff members and five tourists, were killed in the major blaze at the nightclub at Arpora in North Goa around midnight of December 6.
Gupta had, during the day, filed an bail application.
So far, eight persons have been arrested in connection with the case, including Gupta, and two other owners - Gaurav Luthra and his brother Saurabh - who were deported from Thailand.
Five other staffers of the nightclub arrested in the case are Rajiv Modak (Corporate General Manager), Priyanshu Thakur (Gate Manager), Rajveer Singhania (Bar Manager), Vivek Singh (General Manager) and Bharat Karan Singh Kohli (employee).
A Look Out Circular (LOC) has been issued against Surinder Kumar Khosla, another owner of the nightclub who is a British citizen, police said.
