Counter-terrorism policy on cards: Amit Shah
Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the Centre will soon bring a National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy to combat the terror-related ecosystem across the country.
Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day anti-terror conference organised by the NIA, Shah said, "The terrorist attacks and their conspiracy are against us in a borderless and invisible manner. If we have to deal with it accurately, then our young officers will have to be equipped with the highest technology. We are taking the next step in the proactive approach that the Home Ministry has made to fight terrorism, terrorists and the terrorism ecosystem. We will come up with a National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy."
In a significant observation, Shah told investigative agencies fighting against terrorism, to apply the UAPA without hesitation wherever needed and seek assistance from the NIA for investigations.
"The NIA has filed 632 cases, out of which in 498 cases, chargesheet has been filed. It has 95 per cent conviction rate. If the NIA can do this then why can't state police do it? Wherever the UAPA is needed, it should be applied and wherever it is applied, the NIA as supervisory authority should ensure that it also provides assistance in such cases," Shah said.
He further pointed out that though law and order is a State subject, terrorism doesn’t know any territorial limits.
"When the RDX is recovered, it finds only two column space, but when bombs made of the same RDX explode, there is widespread media coverage," the Home Minister said.
He urged top police officials and heads of anti-terror organisations and probe agencies such as the NIA and the CBI that they should use the database prepared by the NATGRID.
"The NATGRID has a wealth of data related to crimes and terror attacks committed all over the country. This is currently akin to jewellery lying in an electronic cupboard. I want this information to reach the police station level so that crimes can be curbed and all police chiefs should ensure this. Otherwise there is no use of this useful data," Shah urged.
"The terrorist attacks and their conspiracy are against us in a borderless and invisible manner. If we have to deal with it accurately, then our young officers will have to be equipped with the highest technology," he added.
The Home Minister reiterated that there have been no major terror attacks since 2014 and the ones which occurred were tackled by the police.
The NIA is creating a database of recovered weapons, LWE-affected states and the J&K should contribute to the data. We have to fund the source of these weapons, Shah said.
Shah noted that on August 2, 2019, amendments were made to the NIA Act, which added new offences and granted extra-territorial jurisdiction, allowing the NIA to conduct investigations abroad as well.
He mentioned that on August 14, 2019, amendments were also made to the UAPA, empowering authorities to seize property and designate individuals and organisations as terrorists. He added that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has coordinated efforts for deradicalisation, various ministries have developed their own strategies and the MHA has established an institutional framework for this purpose.
