India may replicate select post-9/11 US anti-terror strategies

New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI) India will try to replicate
select anti-terrorism strategies which the US had adopted
after the September 11, 2001 attacks, Home Minister P
Chidambaram said Wednesday.

Insisting that the Government is much more prepared now
for handling terror strikes than three months ago, he told
Upper House of Indian parliament that there will be better
coordination between various security and spy agencies from
next month when the multi-agency centre will be in place.

"Our level of preparedness is much higher than it was
three months back and in the event of any attack, our response
will be swift and deterring," he said responding to members'
concern on internal security during the Question Hour.

Chidamabarm said that he would be presenting his third
report on the level of preparedness on February 27.

"A team had gone to the US to study their anti-terror
strategies, which they had prepared in the wake of 9/11
attacks. The team has come back and we are trying to replicate
the strategies studied there, that suit our requirements," he
said.

"By March 31, there will be better coordination between
multi-agency centre (MAC) and its subsidiaries and between MAC
and special branch of police and various data centres".

By May this year, all these agencies will be much better
placed to reply to any kind of terror attacks, the Home
Minister said.

Chidambaram assured the House that he is personally
monitoring the investigations in the bomb blasts which took
place last year in Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Assam and Mumbai.

"All the cases are currently at various stages of
investigation. The probe in Delhi blasts is at an advanced
stage. Other cases too are at different stages of
investigation.

"There are different accused in these cases. While many
are arrested, some are yet to be caught. Chargesheets in both
the Malegaon blast cases have been filed," the Minister said.

He further added that armed forces have been equipped
with assault rifles including INSAS, AK series and sub machine
guns including MP-5 and MP-9.

"I have conducted regular meetings with police chiefs of
different states and will be visiting various states next
month to review the situation," Chidambaram said.

Allaying the apprehensions of CPI member D Raja, he said
security forces were well-prepared to thwart any kind of
infiltration attempts by ISI agents, especially through the
southern coasts of the country.

"I agree that ISI has a long arm but we have strengthened
our coastal security in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, especially in
the last two months. Though there are no reports of any ISI
infiltration through southern coasts, but it cannot be ruled
out. We are doing our best to ensure that no ISI agent
infiltrates into our southern coasts," he said.

"All applications for visas by people having Sri Lankan
passports are also being closely monitored."

Chidambaram also said the government is expanding Central
para-military forces, is involved in strengthening of
institutional mechanisms for sharing of intelligence and
operational coordination with states, and also construction of
roads and fencing with floodlighting on the Indo-Pak and
Indo-Bangla borders.

He referred to "launching of scheme for coastal security
under which assistance is being provided to the states for
setting up police stations and boats, jeeps and motorcycles
for sea and land patrolling... and expanding infrastructure
for state police personnel, including action for setting up of
20 counter-insurgency and anti-terrorism schools."

The Minister said a decision to set up four NSG hubs in
Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai has been taken, the
Unlawful Activities Prevention (Amendment) Act 2008 has been
enacted and the National Investigation Agency Act 2008 has
also been passed as part of its anti-terror efforts.