In the aftermath of the terror attacks in Mumbai, a number of long-pending proposals to strengthen India?s security apparatus are receiving a new airing.
* National Investigation Agency: The government has announced it will set up such an agency in the near future. A bill will be introduced in Parliament in the current session.
The proposal has been opposed by a number of state governments on the ground that it would infringe on the federal structure of the constitution?law and order is a state subject. Several suggestions have been made to make this proposal more palatable to state governments. One, to strictly define federal crimes. Two, to let state governments decide which cases they want to be investigated by the federal agency and refer those cases to it, much like they refer cases to the CBI. Three, a committee comprising representatives of the state government would be empowered to decide which cases are to be referred to the National Investigation Agency.
* Anti-terror law: The previous anti-terror law, POTA, repealed by the current government, made acquiring bail more difficult, made confessions in police custody admissible as evidence, and shifted the onus of proof from the prosecution to the defence. The Congress has traditionally been wary of such provisions in law. But the Administrative Reforms Commission has recommended that all three provisions be included in the new law. Last week in Parliament, the PM said the ARC recommendations were being ?actively considered?.
* Coastal security: In 2005, the government had launched a coastal security scheme, under which 73 police stations, 97 check posts, 58 outposts and 30 barracks were supposed to be set up over a five year period along India?s 7,500 km-long coastline spread over nine states and four union territories. Till September, 55 police stations had been made operational, including 12 in Maharashtra and 10 in Gujarat. Immediately after the Mumbai attacks, the government told the states it was ready to provide money for more police stations and checkposts.
In Parliament last week, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and home minister P Chidambaram announced something more significant?establishment of a Coastal Command under the Coast Guards with the Indian Navy providing backup support. The coastal security scheme will become part of the coastal command which has been made operational with immediate effect.
* Regional hubs for NSG: Till now, the NSG is based only in Manesar near Gurgaon. The delay caused in reaching Mumbai reignited the debate over the need to have the force placed at more centres. The government has announced the creation of six regional hubs for the NSG. The prime minister has also announced that till such time that the NSG strength is increased and deployed at the new centres, the commando units of the armed forces can be placed there. It has also been decided to give armoured vehicles and a dedicated aircraft to the NSG.
* Mega city policing: This was a concept developed a few years ago. Considering the complexity involved in policing large cities, the Centre decided to offer its help, financial and technical, to the state governments to help maintain law and order in some of the larger cities. The scheme is currently operational in seven cities apart from the four metros. The Centre provides Rs 5 crore per year to the state governments for procuring modern equipment and upgrading the police infrastructure in these cities. After the Mumbai attacks, the government decided to increase its assistance three-fold. It has also been decided to expand the scheme to include more cities.