Industry gives Centre tips on counter-terrorism

FICCI wants wants separate agency for internal security

The report sought  the government to set up a new agency focused on the collection of intelligence about non-state actors through human and technical penetration.

“Intelligence priorities have undergone considerable changes during the last decade. Now threats to our internal security from non-state actors will keep us preoccupied in the short and medium terms. This is a specialised and full time task which neither the IB nor the R&AW, as they are constituted today, would be able to perform adequately,” it said. 
The Task Force Report on National Security and Terrorism  was submitted  to Home Minister P Chidambaram by its chairman Rajeev Chandrasekhar and co-chairman, Harsh Pati Singhania.

The report asked the government to examine creation of Department of Physical Security in the Ministry of Home Affairs should to focus exclusivity in this area. It said the government should see whether private security personnel could be given license to carry guns and pressed for the tasks of internal security.

The assessed intelligence information must be reported to the Cabinet Committee on Security so that the committee is sensitised. This practice does not exist and does not allow for the adoption of a proactive policy, the report said. Security audit should be a must, it added.

Seeking the speeding up of police reforms, the report said Station House Officer (SHO) in-charge of the police station should remain responsible for crime control, law and order and prevention of terrorism. The Task Force, therefore, strongly recommended strengthening the SHO and his resources to bring greater efficiency of local police stations.

Touching on the maritime security, the report said the Coastal Guard have overall command of coastal security and navy be called only for emergency duties. Coastal police need to build more stations with patrollings being handed over exclusively to men trained in maritime policing. Indian fishermen need to be actively engaged and utilised as the eyes and ears of coastal security, it said.

The report asked the government to address the security concerns of the private sector and adopt mechanisms to facilitate partnership between the public and the private sector
In its final set of recommendations, the report’s focus is on the ‘role of the media’ and certain guidelines that it should pursue as a responsible medium while reporting on terrorism avoiding attempts to sensationalise an incident in a bid to score points over rivals.

Task Force proposals

* National Counter Terrorism Agency
*National Intelligence Grid
*Ministry of Internal Security with a cabinet minister
*New intelligence agency dedicated to non-state actors
*  Police Reform on priority
*Re-energise the Beat Constable system
* Revamp coastal security
* Involve private sector
*Amend Private Security Agencies Act, 2005
*Develop a specialised cadre for National Security Management
*Put more stress on human intelligence
*End political misuse of IB