Under flak over recent terror strikes, the central government on Thursday announced several measures to strengthen intelligence machinery including creation of a wing to analyse new modus operandi being adopted by terrorists.
Cabinet approves measures to tackle terrorism
At the same time, the government categorically ruled out any move to bring in an anti-terror law like POTA.
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"No, No, No. It is a draconian (law) and against human rights. If the present anti-terror laws are implemented properly, there is no requirement for additional laws," Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told media persons in New Delhi.
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"What do you mean by tougher anti-terror laws? Some of our laws are much more strong than those in the US and UK," he shot back when asked whether the government was planning to bring in an anti-terror law similar to POTA.
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Dasmunsi and Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta faced a volley of questions on the last night's special cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the security situation in the wake of serial blasts in Delhi on Saturday.
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Asked whether any issue relating to Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who has been criticised over his handling of internal security, came up for discussion, he said 'nothing of that sort'.
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Among the proposals cleared by the Union Cabinet in the aftermath of serial blasts were creation of a Research and Technology wing in Intelligence Bureau, sanctioning additional manpower to IB and Delhi Police, metro policing and installation of modern gadgets like CCTV and metal detectors in busy market places.
As Dasmunsi observed that 'states cannot be left alone' in dealing with the terrorist menace, the Home Secretary said the Centre has been paying attention to strengthening Special Branches in the states which have remained "weak for various reasons".
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Gupta said the Cabinet also approved a proposal to strengthen the special branches and earmark funds to acquire and put in place scanners and other security-related equipment.
An additional 6,000 posts have already been sanctioned for the Intelligence Bureau, while Delhi Police would have 7612 more posts. Eleven additional police stations have also been cleared for the national capital, he said.
On the Research and Technology Wing of the IB, Gupta said it would be a dedicated centre for continuous monitoring and analysis of the new modus operandi of terrorists. It would also keep pace with new technologies and counter-terror operations.
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Regarding metro-policing, the Home Secretary said the Union Cabinet also approved a separate sub-scheme for policing in the metros, for which the Centre would provide assistance for intelligence monitoring and surveillance.
In a bid to provide special security cover in areas where large number of people congregate, it would be mandatory for major market places, shopping malls, multiplexes and hotels to have 'minimum, necessary benchmark security systems', he said.
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As part of the awareness-building campaign, the state governments would be encouraged to follow the 'Eyes and Ears' scheme of the Delhi Police, of involving residents and market associations to tone up security.