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25 Dec 2025·Source: The Hindu
2 min
Polity & GovernancePolity & GovernanceNEWS

Home Minister Affirms Centre's Strong Support to States Against Major Crimes

Home Minister Shah asserts Centre's unwavering support to states in combating LWE, terrorism, and organized crime.

Home Minister Affirms Centre's Strong Support to States Against Major Crimes

Photo by Wonderlane

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the Narendra Modi government firmly supports states in their fight against drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, and organized crime. He highlighted significant improvements in the law and order situation over the past decade, claiming that peace has been established in areas previously plagued by left-wing extremism (LWE), terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, and armed groups in the northeast. This statement, made during a passing out parade of Haryana Police constables, underscores the Centre's commitment to national security and cooperative federalism in tackling complex internal security challenges.

Key Facts

1.

Home Minister Amit Shah stated Centre's support to states against various crimes

2.

Claimed peace in LWE-affected areas, J&K terrorism, and Northeast armed groups

3.

Statement made during Haryana Police constables' passing out parade

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

Cooperative Federalism and Centre-State relations in law and order and internal security.

2.

Constitutional provisions related to policing, public order, and criminal justice (Seventh Schedule, Articles 256, 257, 355).

3.

Evolution and current status of major internal security challenges: LWE, J&K terrorism, Northeast insurgency, cybercrime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and organized crime.

4.

Role and mandate of various central agencies (MHA, NIA, NCB, CBI, CERT-In) and state police forces.

5.

Government policies and strategies for counter-insurgency, anti-terrorism, cyber security, anti-narcotics, and police modernization.

Visual Insights

Major Internal Security Threats & Centre-State Cooperation Zones (2025)

Visualizes the key regions in India historically affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir, and insurgency in the Northeast, highlighting areas where the Centre's support to states is crucial for maintaining law and order and national security.

Loading interactive map...

📍Jammu and Kashmir📍Chhattisgarh📍Jharkhand📍Odisha📍Assam📍Manipur📍Nagaland📍Haryana

India's Internal Security Progress: A Decade of Decline in Key Threats (2015-2025)

Presents key statistics reflecting the significant improvements in India's internal security landscape over the past decade, as highlighted by the Union Home Minister. Data updated to 2025 based on observed trends and official reports.

LWE Affected Districts
38-58%

Number of districts reporting LWE violence, down from 90 in 2010 and 45 in 2023. Reflects successful multi-pronged strategy combining security and development.

LWE Violence Incidents
Approx. 250-75%

Annual incidents, a sharp decline from over 1000 in 2010. Indicates reduced operational capacity and geographical footprint of LWE groups.

J&K Terror Incidents
Approx. 120-60%

Significant decline post-2019 Article 370 abrogation and intensified counter-terrorism operations. Focus shifted to targeted intelligence-based operations and development.

Northeast Insurgency Incidents
Approx. 100-80%

Historic low due to numerous peace accords, surrender policies, and a strong developmental push. AFSPA withdrawn from many areas, signaling improved peace.

Cybercrime Cases (Registered)
Increasing Trend+25% (YoY)

While traditional threats decline, cybercrime remains a growing challenge, necessitating enhanced digital infrastructure, specialized law enforcement, and public awareness. Data reflects increasing reporting and detection capabilities.

More Information

Background

India's internal security landscape has historically been complex, marked by insurgencies (Northeast, J&K), Left Wing Extremism (LWE), and the rise of transnational organized crime. The constitutional framework places 'Public Order' and 'Police' primarily under the State List (Seventh Schedule), while the Union government has a crucial role in national security, intelligence, and providing assistance, leading to a dynamic of cooperative federalism. The Centre's role often involves intelligence gathering, capacity building, financial assistance, and deploying central armed police forces (CAPFs) to aid states.

Latest Developments

The Union Home Minister's statement underscores the Narendra Modi government's commitment to national security and its claim of significant improvements in the law and order situation over the past decade. Specifically, it highlights successes in curbing Left Wing Extremism, terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, and armed groups in the Northeast.

The statement also reaffirms the Centre's strong support to states in tackling contemporary and complex challenges like drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, and organized crime, which often transcend state boundaries and require a coordinated, multi-agency approach. This reinforces the principle of cooperative federalism in internal security management.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the division of powers related to internal security in India: 1. 'Public Order' and 'Police' are exclusively subjects of the State List under the Seventh Schedule. 2. The Union government can deploy Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in a state without the state government's consent in situations of grave internal security threats. 3. 'Criminal Law' and 'Criminal Procedure' are subjects on the Concurrent List, allowing both Centre and States to legislate. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: C

Statement 1 is correct. 'Public Order' (Entry 1) and 'Police' (Entry 2) are indeed exclusively State List subjects under the Seventh Schedule. Statement 2 is incorrect. While the Union government can deploy CAPFs, it generally requires the consent of the state government, especially for 'law and order' duties. However, in cases of grave national security threats or during emergencies, the Centre's powers are broader. But for routine deployment, consent is crucial, reflecting cooperative federalism. Statement 3 is correct. 'Criminal Law' (Entry 1) and 'Criminal Procedure' (Entry 2) are subjects on the Concurrent List, enabling both the Parliament and state legislatures to make laws on these matters.

2. In the context of India's efforts against major crimes, which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? List-I (Crime Type) List-II (Primary Central Agency/Act) 1. Drug Trafficking: Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) 2. Cybercrime: National Investigation Agency (NIA) 3. Human Trafficking: Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 4. Organized Crime: Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  • A.1 and 3 only
  • B.2 and 4 only
  • C.1, 3 and 4 only
  • D.1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer

Answer: A

Pair 1 is correctly matched. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is the primary central agency for combating drug trafficking and enforcing the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Pair 2 is incorrectly matched. While NIA deals with terrorism, the primary central agency for cybercrime investigation and coordination is the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) under MHA, and CERT-In for cyber security incidents. NIA's mandate is primarily terrorism-related offenses. Pair 3 is correctly matched. The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA) is the principal legislation for preventing human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation. Pair 4 is incorrectly matched. UAPA primarily deals with unlawful activities and terrorism. While organized crime can sometimes be linked to terror financing, specific laws like the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) or the National Investigation Agency Act (which allows NIA to investigate certain organized crime cases linked to terrorism) are more directly relevant. UAPA is not the primary central act for all forms of organized crime.

3. Which of the following statements is NOT correct regarding Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in India?

  • A.The 'Greyhounds' is a specialized anti-Naxal force primarily operating in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
  • B.The 'SAMADHAN' strategy is a comprehensive approach adopted by the government to counter LWE.
  • C.LWE-affected areas are primarily concentrated in the 'Red Corridor' stretching across central and eastern India.
  • D.The Ministry of Defence is the nodal ministry for formulating and implementing policies to counter LWE.
Show Answer

Answer: D

Statement A is correct. 'Greyhounds' is indeed a highly effective specialized anti-Naxal force of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana police. Statement B is correct. 'SAMADHAN' (Smart leadership, Aggressive strategy, Motivation and training, Actionable intelligence, Dashboard-based KPIs, Harnessing technology, Action plan for each theatre, No access to financing) is the government's comprehensive strategy to tackle LWE. Statement C is correct. The 'Red Corridor' is a region in central and eastern India that experiences considerable Naxalite-Maoist insurgency. Statement D is NOT correct. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is the nodal ministry for formulating and implementing policies to counter Left Wing Extremism, not the Ministry of Defence. The Ministry of Defence primarily handles external security threats.

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