In a determined move towards combating terrorism, the honourable Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, inaugurated the 3rd two-day “Anti-Terror Conference” organized by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in New Delhi. The event brought together high-ranking officials, including the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nishith Pramanik, and other top brass from various law enforcement agencies. As the conference unfolded, a compelling message emerged: All anti-terrorism agencies must adopt a relentless approach to prevent the formation of new terrorist organizations.
Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Central and State agencies have achieved remarkable success in countering terrorism over the past nine years. However, the fight against terrorism extends beyond merely addressing its symptoms; it necessitates the dismantling of the entire ecosystem that enables it to thrive. To this end, Shah stressed the importance of establishing a Model Anti-terrorism Structure under the purview of NIA.
One of the key initiatives proposed during the conference was the standardization of the hierarchy, structure, and Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for investigations across all anti-terrorism agencies in different states. This harmonization is expected to enhance coordination between central and state agencies, thus streamlining the fight against terrorism.
Shri Amit Shah emphasized the need for a relentless approach by anti-terrorism agencies to prevent the formation of new terrorist organizations. The evolving nature of terrorism requires agencies like the NIA, ATS, and STF to think innovatively and take proactive measures beyond conventional investigation techniques.
International cooperation emerged as a crucial aspect of the fight against terrorism. Terrorism transcends borders, and tackling it requires collaboration at the global, national, and local levels. The conference emphasized the importance of creating a mechanism that will empower the country to combat terrorism effectively for decades to come.
The Modi government has been steadfast in addressing various challenges associated with terrorism, including issues related to cryptocurrency, hawala, terror funding, organized crime syndicates, and narco-terror links. While substantial progress has been made, there remains much work to be done to ensure the nation’s security.
To bolster the fight against terrorism, it is important to leverage the databases prepared by the government in the past five years. These databases encompass a wide range of information, and the honorable Home Minister encouraged all agencies, both at the Central and State levels, to make full use of them. The data can serve multiple purposes, including investigation, prosecution, prevention, and action.
Furthermore, there is a need for a common training module for all central and state-level counter-terrorism agencies. This approach would ensure uniformity in combating terrorism, aligning methodologies and strategies for maximum efficiency. The Home Minister urged the NIA and IB to take the lead in establishing this module.
It is worth noting that the number of terrorist incidents in the country has significantly reduced over the years, thanks to the concerted efforts of the government. The NIA, in particular, achieved an impressive conviction rate of over 94 percent, indicating the efficacy of its investigations.
The fight against drugs marked a significant success. Operations like “Samudragupta,” conducted under the leadership of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), resulted in the seizure of narcotics worth more than Rs 12,000 crore. Additionally, substantial quantities of drugs were disposed of, demonstrating the commitment to eradicating drug-related crimes.
In conclusion, we can say that the 3rd Anti-Terror Conference underscored the importance of adopting a relentless approach to counterterrorism. The conference served as a platform for dialogue and collaboration among various agencies and officials, emphasizing the need for uniformity, innovative strategies, and international cooperation to effectively combat the evolving challenges of terrorism. The message was clear: together, we must unite to ensure peace and security in the nation and beyond.
