Amit Shah pushes for anti-terror, anti-narcotics task forces to bolster Bengal’s security apparatus

Kolkata: In a bid to strengthen Bengal's internal security, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, at a high-level meeting, on Sunday and laid emphasis on the need to establish an 'Anti-Narcotics Task Force', an 'Anti-Terrorist Squad', and a 'Special Investigation Agency', modelled on the NIA, in the state.

The NIA will conduct a thorough review of all terrorism and UAPA-related cases concerning the state, people in the know said. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah chaired a review meeting on West Bengal’s law and order situation in Kolkata, today.
The Union Home Minister also gave several important instructions to strengthen the state's security apparatus, judicial system and police capabilities.


The meeting was attended by the Chief Minister of West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari, the State Chief Secretary, and senior officials from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the West Bengal government.

With focus on women's safety in rural areas, Union Home Minister directed the implementation of a 'Women Outreach Programme.' He emphasized the need to create awareness and empower rural women through regular interaction with officials.

He also stated that the state government could directly contact the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) should any need arise in this regard.

The meeting stressed on capacity augmentation, infrastructure strengthening, and the development of state-of-the-art facilities for the West Bengal Police.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation assured that adequate budgetary support would be provided for the modernization of the state police and improvement of service delivery systems. In this process, a comprehensive review of the police force cadre will be conducted to increase its strength in line with the national average, and the number of police districts will be rationalized. Additionally, emphasis was placed on filling all vacant posts in a time-bound manner, reviewing training capacities, phasing out reliance on civic volunteers, and prioritizing the recruitment of constables.

A consensus was reached to convert one-third of the security camps established in areas formerly affected by Left-Wing Extremism into Public Service Centres to ensure the access to government services. The need for capacity building in the cybersecurity sector, holding regular NCORD meetings to combat drug trafficking, and formulating a comprehensive flood management plan for Kolkata were discussed.