Eastern states strengthen coordination to tackle organised crime and Extremism

Bhubaneswar: Senior police officials from eastern Indian states on Saturday resolved to strengthen inter-state coordination, intelligence sharing and joint operations to combat organised crime, Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), cybercrime and other emerging security threats during the Eastern Regional Police Coordination Committee (ERPCC) meeting held in Bhubaneswar.

The high-level meeting, organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs, was chaired by Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania. It was attended by the DGPs of Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, along with senior officers from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Central Police Organisations (CPOs) and other participating states.

Welcoming the delegates, Khurania said regional coordination forums play a crucial role in strengthening operational synergy, building mutual trust and reinforcing the country’s internal security framework. He thanked the Ministry of Home Affairs for entrusting Odisha Police with hosting the meeting.

In his address, the Odisha DGP said challenges such as organised crime, cybercrime, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking and Left-Wing Extremism transcend state boundaries and require a technology-driven, intelligence-led and coordinated response. He stressed that no state can effectively tackle these threats in isolation and called for continuous intelligence sharing, seamless exchange of information and wider use of advanced technology.

The day-long deliberations focused on monitoring and rehabilitation of surrendered Left-Wing Extremists, curbing inter-state narcotics trafficking, strengthening cooperation against cybercrime through real-time intelligence sharing, expediting the transfer and investigation of Zero FIRs, improving railway security and evolving a coordinated strategy to address illegal infiltration.

The participating states also discussed measures to intensify joint action against inter-state criminal networks, strengthen policing along border areas and promote technology-enabled intelligence-based policing.

To ensure sustained collaboration, the member states unanimously agreed to institutionalise regular coordination meetings to review progress, exchange best practices and address emerging security challenges.

Concluding the meeting, Khurania expressed confidence that the decisions taken would significantly strengthen inter-state policing, improve law enforcement capabilities and provide a robust framework for addressing complex security challenges across eastern India.

Among those present were DGP, CID-Crime Branch Vinaytosh Mishra, Director Intelligence R.P. Koche, ADGP (ANO) Sanjeeb Panda, ADGP (Railways & Coastal Security) Arun Bothra, ADGP (Headquarters) Prateek Mohanty, besides senior officers from the participating states and central agencies.