Says terrorism is borderless, asks States to use NIA’s resources effectively
Terror incidents down 70% in last 10 years
New Delhi, Nov 07: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday announced that the Central government will soon introduce a National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy to combat terrorism and its ecosystem across India.
Speaking at the Anti-Terrorism Conference-2024 organized by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in New Delhi, Shah emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between central and state security agencies.
Addressing an assembly of senior police officers and security officials, Shah stressed that although law and order are under state jurisdiction, terrorism knows no boundaries. “All security agencies — both central and state — must work in close coordination, develop joint strategies, and share intelligence seamlessly,” he said.
Highlighting the need for states to make effective use of existing laws, Shah urged state police to invoke the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) without hesitation. He pointed out that the NIA has successfully applied UAPA in numerous cases, filing chargesheets in 498 out of 632 registered cases, with a conviction rate of nearly 95 percent. “If NIA can achieve this, why cannot state police forces do the same?” he questioned.
The conference also saw the unveiling of the NIA’s motto and the release of the Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for UAPA investigations. Shah explained that the Home Ministry has proposed model Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS) and Special Task Forces (STF) for states and Union Territories, which can be adapted to suit local requirements while maintaining a common framework. “This does not infringe on the rights of states,” he assured.
The Minister underscored that India’s anti-terror measures have gained international recognition under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, with a commitment to “Zero Tolerance against Terrorism.” Since 2014, he noted, there has been a 70 percent decline in terrorist incidents, attributing this to a robust anti-terror ecosystem developed over the past decade.
Discussing legislative advancements, Shah highlighted amendments made to the NIA Act and UAPA in 2019, which expanded jurisdictional powers and introduced mechanisms like property seizures and terror designations. He also mentioned the establishment of a National Memory Bank and the introduction of a central intelligence-based database to enhance counter-terror operations.
The Home Minister emphasized the role of technology and urged all security forces to leverage advancements like NATGRID and AI-based systems. He revealed that the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) has undergone significant reforms and that initiatives like NCORD and MANAS are being implemented to counter threats like narco-terrorism and cyber-attacks.
Shah called for a shift from a “Need to Know” to a “Duty to Share” information culture among agencies, emphasizing a “Whole of Government Approach” to address challenges, including terror financing and cryptocurrency threats. He reiterated the necessity of a coordinated strategy from the grassroots police level to senior command structures.
The event also honoured 11 NIA medal recipients, with Shah acknowledging the sacrifice of 36,468 police officers over 75 years for the nation’s internal security. Later, he urged all states to consider counter-terrorism a shared responsibility, emphasizing the government’s determination to eradicate terrorism with collective resolve and efficient mechanisms.
