India to revamp national security in wake of terror attacks
Updated
The terrorist attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai in November last year is seen as the tipping point of a revamp of India's national security.
With a renewed mandate after the general elections in May this year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has begun to put in place critical strategies and strengthen intelligence systems to thwart further terrorism attacks.
Presenter: Murali Krishnan, New Delhi
Speakers: P Chidamabaram, Indian Home Minister; Hartosh Singh Bal, terrorism expert; M. K. Venu, security analyst
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KRISHNAN: The government has already set up a National Investigation Agency on the lines of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation to tackle terror exclusively and strengthen provisions in terror laws making it tougher for suspects to obtain bail.
However to improve core policing in the country the home ministry has begun to improve the police- people ratio, filling up police vacancies in many states and purchasing proper equipment, sophisticated weaponry and communication systems for both police and paramilitary forces to meet the challenges of new age terror.
Home Minister P Chidamabaram spells out the agenda before him.
CHIDAMBARAM: I'm fully aware of the security situation and the issues that have to be addressed. Terrorism, Naxalite violence and insurgency in the north east are the key challenges for the country. Besides, there are areas that are sensitive in the areas of public order and communal harmony.
KRISHNAN: With seven paramilitary forces under his charge, Chidambaram, has conducted a personal review of each of these forces.
The Mumbai attacks exposed the utter unpreparedness of the intelligence establishment but now a multi-agency Centre has been empowered functioning on a 24-7 basis and is now legally obliged to share real time intelligence with all other agencies.
Terrorism expert Hartosh Singh Bal says India has to cope with new age terror especially when attacks either by terror groups or leftist extremists have got deadlier and had a surprise element.
BAL ACTUALITY: There's almost a transition in the very nature of Indian terrorism. For the first time, we are lookign at well-educated, reasonably affluent terrorists who have an idealogy that is not restricted by the boundaries of India, who are getting increasingly sophisticated in the methods, who are learning from the mistakes they's made - this is obvious in how they are using explosives, how they're using technology like the net. India needs to upgrade its capabilities across the board in order to fight the new threat.
KRISHNAN: Just this month, more hubs of the elite National Security Guard that battled terrorists in Mumbai opened up in four other cities, that are expected to act as force multipliers to any threat arising in the country.
Chidambaram maintains that much of the action plan to secure India has been implemented.
Security analyst M. K. Venu who has been keeping a close eye on the revamped mechanisms believes there has been a significant change in the security regimen.
VENU: I think after the Mumbai terror attack, India is indeed spending a lot of money on upgrading its security establishment, whether it is coastal security or whether its improving and upgradign it anti-terrorist outfits like the National Secuirty Guard. And also, improving the hinterland security.
KRISHNAN: The government has so far been serious to implement a raft of measures such as securing important private establishments and deploying commandos at iconic structures round the clock. It is now working towards deadlines. The security establishment wants to transform and quickly to ensure that another Mumbai or worse does not recur.
