Need to beef intelligence to combat terrorism: PM

"We must continuously upgrade and strengthen our investigating agencies and our intelligence gathering apparatus to deal more effectively with the newer methods and technologies that the terrorists and Naxals adopt," the prime minister said while addressing the 15th meeting of the National Integration Council (NIC) here.

"The Delhi blast shows that there can be no let-up in intelligence. Security methods have been internally reviewed. We need to combat divisive forces and the radicalisation of youth," he said.

"No civilised society can bear the loss of loved ones," he said, referring to the blast outside the Delhi High Court Wednesday that left 13 people dead.

The intelligence sharing mechanism under the multi-agency, the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) centre, has been "bolstered"  so that intelligence from various sources can be "accessed and analysed to identify actionable points", said the prime minister. Manmohan Singh also briefed the conference about the steps taken by the government to counter terrorism.

“Coastal security has been strengthened by establishing additional coastal police stations and providing interceptor boats. State and central police organisations are being connected on a computer network through the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems and the strength of the central para-military forces has been increased,” he said.

Besides, regional hubs of the National Security Guard have also been set up to enable quick deployment of counter-terrorism strike forces. The National Investigation Agency has begun investigating terror crimes in the 'right earnest', the prime minister added.
“Of the 29 cases handed over to this agency, charge sheets have been filed in 20 cases,” he said.

The NIC meet will discuss measures to promote communal harmony, eliminate discrimination especially against minorities and scheduled tribes and ways in which the state and police should handle civil disturbances. The last meeting of the NIC was held here Oct 13, 2008.