Amit Shah pushes for anti-terror, anti-narcotics task forces to bolster Bengal’s security apparatus
NIA will thoroughly examine all terrorism and UAPA-related cases involving the state, people in the know said. Union Home Minister and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah chaired a review meeting on the law and order situation of West Bengal in Kolkata today.
The Union Home Minister also issued several important instructions to strengthen the state’s security apparatus, judicial system and police capabilities.
The meeting was attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, State Chief Secretary and senior officials from the Union Home Ministry and the West Bengal government.
The Union Home Minister directed the implementation of a ‘Women Outreach Programme’, focusing on women’s safety in rural areas. She emphasized the need to raise awareness and empower rural women through regular interaction with authorities.
He also stated that the state government can directly contact the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) if there is any need in this regard.
The meeting emphasized capacity building, strengthening infrastructure and development of state-of-the-art facilities for the West Bengal Police.
The Union Home Minister and Cooperation Minister assured that adequate budgetary support will be provided for modernization of the state police and improvement of service delivery systems. In this process, a comprehensive review of the police force’s staff will be carried out, increasing its strength in line with the national average and rationalizing the number of districts. Additionally, emphasis was placed on filling all vacancies in a time-bound manner, reviewing training capacities, phasing out dependence on civilian volunteers, and prioritizing the recruitment of police officers.
A consensus was reached that one-third of the security camps previously established in areas affected by Left-wing Extremism should be converted into Public Service Centers to provide 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.
