Author: Pioneer News Service
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: September 19, 2008
After raising hopes that it was ready to take
hard measures to contain terrorism, the Government on Thursday announced a
series of token decisions and ruled out bringing in any tough anti-terror
POTA-type law. It was also silent on strengthening the existing legislative
provisions to strike at the root of terror.
When Prime Minister Manmohan Singh talked
tough on terror on Wednesday and even the Congress clamoured for hard measures
to contain it, it was expected that the Union Cabinet on Thursday would follow
up the thunder and fury with some genuine action. But the Cabinet meeting
turned out to be a damp squib and, except some measures to strengthen the
intelligence networks and State police forces, nothing tangible was done to
address the urgency of the situation.
The measures announced on Thursday include
steps to strengthen intelligence machinery, including creation of a wing to
analyse new modus operandi being adopted by terrorists. At the same time,
the Government categorically ruled out any move to bring in an anti-terror
law like POTA. "No, no, no. It is draconian (law) and against human rights.
If the existing anti-terror laws are implemented properly, there is no requirement
for additional laws," Information and Broadcasting Minister PR Dasmunsi
told newspersons here.
When asked whether the Government was planning
to bring in an anti-terror law similar to POTA, Dasmunsi interjected with
firm "no" and said some of the existing laws were stronger than
those in the US and UK.
Among the proposals cleared by the Union Cabinet
in the aftermath of the serial blasts were creation of a Research and Technology
wing in the Intelligence Bureau, sanctioning additional manpower for IB and
Delhi Police, metro policing and installation of modern gadgets like CCTVs
and metal detectors in busy marketplaces.
Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta said the Centre
had been paying attention to strengthening special branches in the States
which have remained weak for various reasons. Gupta said the Cabinet also
approved a proposal to strengthen the special branches and earmark funds to
acquire and put in place scanners and other security-related equipment. An
additional 6,000 posts have already been sanctioned for the Intelligence Bureau,
while Delhi Police would have 7,612 more posts. Eleven additional police stations
have also been cleared for the national Capital, he said.
In a way, the Government has endorsed the
view of much-maligned Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who on Wednesday night
made presentation before the special Cabinet meeting and blamed the failure
of policing and intelligence for the growth of home grown terror. Patil's
views against tough anti-terror law also seem to prevail.
On the Research and Technology Wing of the
IB, the Home Secretary said it would be a dedicated centre for continuous
monitoring and analysis of the new modus operandi of terrorists. It would
also keep pace with new technologies and counter-terror operations. Regarding
metro policing, the Union Home Secretary said the Union Cabinet also approved
a separate sub-scheme for policing in the metros, for which the Centre would
provide assistance for intelligence monitoring and surveillance.
In a bid to provide special security cover
in areas where large number of people congregate, it would be mandatory for
major marketplaces, shopping malls, multiplexes and hotels to have "minimum,
necessary benchmark security systems", he added.
As part of the awareness-building campaign,
the State Governments would be encouraged to follow the 'eyes and ears' scheme
of the Delhi Police, which involves residents and market associations to tone
up security. Delhi Police has identified 58 marketplaces and 27 border points
where CCTVs would be installed and the Home Ministry would implement this
plan in a "time-bound and turn-key manner" to avoid the tedious
tendering procedures. As many as 138 additional vehicles would also be provided
to the Police Control Room in the city to keep a close vigil in the security
scenario, the Home Secretary said.
Asked whether the Government was considering
setting up of a federal agency to deal with terror-related cases, he said
the Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) had made certain recommendations
and there were international conventions on financing of terror and other
relevant laws. There was also the issue of methodology and investigation,
he said. "The entire matter is being looked into by a group of senior
officials. The issue (of a federal agency) is part of this exercise of examining
legal and procedural aspects," Gupta said.
Asked about his comments that every terror
strike was a learning experience, he said the IB's new research wing would
be studying these aspects "so that we can make preparations" even
to prevent such activities. He gave the example of the recent Delhi blasts,
saying these were "low-intensity explosives but had a large impact"
and said that such experiences would be studied and lessons learnt.
To a question as to who could be held accountable
for these terror strikes, Dasmunsi shot back, "Can anyone predict a terrorist
strike? No Government can prevent it (secretive terror plots)."
Gupta refused to share any information on
the progress made in the probe into the recent serial blasts in Delhi and
other cities.
