New Delhi: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, led the second day of the National Security Strategies Conference – 2024 in New Delhi, outlining a comprehensive strategy to bolster India’s counter-terrorism framework. During the conference, Shah emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation with international agencies and enhancing capacities to counter terror financing, as part of India’s evolving national security agenda.
Strengthening Counter-Terrorism Efforts
Amit Shah proposed increased collaboration between the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and state Anti-Terrorist Squads (ATSs) to fortify the nation’s counter-terrorism infrastructure. This cooperation, he noted, would ensure a more robust and coordinated response to emerging terrorist threats. Shah also called for improved vigilance in states that had recently succeeded in eliminating armed Maoist formations, cautioning them to maintain heightened security measures in those areas.
Vision for 2047: A Strong and Prosperous India
In his closing remarks, Shah urged state Directors General of Police (DGsP) to work towards achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a prosperous, strong, and developed India by 2047. He highlighted significant progress in resolving longstanding national security challenges, including issues related to Jammu & Kashmir, Left Wing Extremism (LWE), and the North-East. However, he stressed the need to anticipate and address new security threats, such as narcotics, rogue drones, and online fraud, before they escalate.
Implementation of New Criminal Laws
Addressing the implementation of the three new Criminal Laws, Shah directed DGsP to ensure that these laws are enacted in a manner that upholds the constitutional rights of citizens while guaranteeing swift justice for victims. He emphasized that these transformative laws would require a shift in mindset, greater use of technology, and seamless coordination between central and state law enforcement agencies.
To facilitate this, Shah instructed the DGsP to form teams of young police officers who would oversee the proper execution of the new criminal laws. He encouraged these officers to take a proactive approach, leveraging technology and data analytics to tackle challenges related to fraudulent financial transactions, including cryptocurrency and hawala operations.
Strengthening Internal Security
Shah also called on the DGsP to adopt a multi-dimensional approach in strengthening India’s internal security architecture. He urged state police forces to utilize databases maintained by central agencies and integrate new techniques and technologies to enhance operational efficiency at the ground level. The Union Home Minister stressed that by embracing these innovations, law enforcement agencies could more effectively combat the wide range of security threats facing the country.
