Home minister wants to set up National Counter Terrorism Centre
By IANSWednesday, December 23, 2009
NEW DELHI - Calling for a radical restructuring of India’s security architecture, Home Minister P. Chidambaram Wednesday proposed the setting up of a National Counter Terrorism Centre.
As the name suggests the goal is to counter terrorism. Such an organisation does not exist today; it has to be created from scratch. I am told that the US was able to do it within 36 months of 9/11, Chidambaram said.
India cannot afford to wait for 36 months. India must decide now to go forward and succeed in setting it up by the end of 2010, he added.
He was delivering the 22nd Intelligence Bureau Centenary Endowment lecture here.
The home minister asked state governments to recruit more policemen and women.
In my estimate states would have to recruit over 400,000 constables this year and over the next two years to fill the vacancies.”
He also wanted 24×7 police control rooms in all districts.
Chidambaram added that the central government had decided to set up a National Intelligence Grid (Natgrid).
Under Natgrid, 21 sets of databases will be networked to achieve quick seamless and secure access to desired information for intelligence and enforcement agencies, he said.
The project will be completed in 18 to 24 months.
