Centre looking into MPVs’ vulnerability in anti-Naxal war
Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Jan 24, 2012, 02.01AM IST
NEW DELHI: Giving credence to the CRPF chief's recent "coffin on wheels" remark for mine-protected vehicles (MPVs), the Centre will advise states to be careful in using MPVs considering their vulnerability as reflected by not only the Saturday's incident of Jharkhand but also by over 160 casualties in similar incidents in other parts of the country in the past two years.
Finer points, including design flaw, if any, will also be discussed in detail during the forthcoming chief ministers' conference here on February 15.
"A separate session will be convened to discuss naxal problem during the conference. The matter concerning use of MPVs and related dos and don'ts will be discussed with police chiefs and technical experts of Ordnance Factory," said a home ministry official.
He said BSF and CRPF personnel, deployed for anti-naxal operations, had been careful in using these armoured vehicles. Both the forces had asked their units in naxal-affected areas to "prefer patrol on feet" and use such vehicles in very rare instances, he added.
Vulnerability of the armoured vehicles had come to notice as early as in 2005, when the Centre approved 120 MPVs for CRPF and state police. Barely months after procuring the vehicle - supplied by the Ordnance Factory, Medak, Andhra Pradesh - 27 security personnel had lost their lives when the Maoists used powerful landmines to blow apart their mine protected vehicle in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district in September, 2005.
That was, however, just the beginning. The Ordnance Factory had started upgrading its vehicles. But, it could not prevent many more such incidents with major ones reported again in Dantewada in April, 2010, followed by one more incident in Bijapur district a month later. In one such incident, the ultras had used 80-kg explosives- much beyond the capability of the MPV to stand such a blast.
Security agencies noted that every time the landmine protection capability of armoured vehicles was upgraded, the Maoists move one step ahead using high quantity of explosives in their IEDs to make the existing MPVs redundant.
In the backdrop of such incidents, CRPF director general K Vijay Kumar had in last October had said that the paramilitary force was looking for better ways to counter hidden IEDs as MPVs it was using had become "coffin on wheels" in naxal-hit states.
Kumar, while addressing a seminar, had said: "However, these vehicles cannot be completely written off and we are looking for better ways to take up the challenge". He had also said the response in such cases had to be smarter and tactful. He had mentioned that the force had reduced travelling on such vehicles.
Referring to increase of naxal violence in Jharkhand, officials here said that the rise of as many as eight splinter groups of Maoists in the state made the intelligence-based operations against the ultras difficult.
They pointed out that besides the CPI (Maoist), there are other violent groups like People's Liberation Front of India, Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad and Sashastra People's Morcha which have been operating independently, making it difficult for security forces to keep track on each of them through human intelligence (HumInt) network.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Maoists ..... lay hands on high-end sophisticated communication gadgets
Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Jan 20, 2012, 03.33AM IST
NEW DELHI: The Border Security Force (BSF), deployed for anti-naxal operations, has recently recovered a huge cache of 'state-of-the-art' Chinese-made communication gadgets in Maoists-affected Koraput, Odisha, setting alarm bells ringing within security establishment as officials are worried how could such sophisticated equipment made inroads to the Red Zone.
The consignment, comprising 41 communication sets and a number of sophisticated "war-like" guns and electric detonator, was found buried underground at two locations in five sealed plastic drums in a forest near Koraput during raids on December 23, 2011.
Closer examination of these gadgets has revealed that these equipment are beyond 'interception' capability of Indian agencies, prompting BSF to write a detailed 'note' to all the security\intelligence agencies about suspected Chinese 'links'. It sought immediate probe of foreign linkages to "trace the source of procurement of the unearthed consignment of communication sets".
The note, written by IG (anti-naxal operation) S A Khader, has stated that the seized communication sets are of Chinese make. It said, "Such high end communication equipments (Motorola\ICOM sets) are procured under licence issued by the wireless & coordination unit of the ministry of communication, Government of India".
Officials here worried as how such high end "made\assembled in China" communication equipment, which cannot be procured without government licence, reach Red Zone. Though such gadgets, including high-end Motorola sets having ranges up to 35 miles and ICOM radio sets, could reach Maoists via the north-east smuggling network, a section within security agencies suspects that such 'sets' cannot reach smugglers' unless someone within the government across the border help them.
Officials suspect that a number of such sophisticated equipment might have reached the Maoists. "The BSF could lay its hands on the seized items through its network of human intelligence, but we don't know how many of such gadgets are still in possession of the ultras. We are trying to reach at the bottom of the entire issue," said an official.
The seizure confirmed Maoists' links with north-east insurgent groups, mainly the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of Manipur, which is quite active in procuring arms and ammunitions from Chinese smugglers.
Pitching for a comprehensive probe, Khader in his note said: "The acquisition of the sophisticated communication equipment of foreign origin by the Maoists has now been confirmed by this seizure. Therefore, the possibility of procurement of modern small arms and other deadly war-like store from foreign sources by the Maoists cannot be ruled out in future.".......................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDEyLzAxLzIwI0FyMDExMDE=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
NEW DELHI: The Border Security Force (BSF), deployed for anti-naxal operations, has recently recovered a huge cache of 'state-of-the-art' Chinese-made communication gadgets in Maoists-affected Koraput, Odisha, setting alarm bells ringing within security establishment as officials are worried how could such sophisticated equipment made inroads to the Red Zone.
The consignment, comprising 41 communication sets and a number of sophisticated "war-like" guns and electric detonator, was found buried underground at two locations in five sealed plastic drums in a forest near Koraput during raids on December 23, 2011.
Closer examination of these gadgets has revealed that these equipment are beyond 'interception' capability of Indian agencies, prompting BSF to write a detailed 'note' to all the security\intelligence agencies about suspected Chinese 'links'. It sought immediate probe of foreign linkages to "trace the source of procurement of the unearthed consignment of communication sets".
The note, written by IG (anti-naxal operation) S A Khader, has stated that the seized communication sets are of Chinese make. It said, "Such high end communication equipments (Motorola\ICOM sets) are procured under licence issued by the wireless & coordination unit of the ministry of communication, Government of India".
Officials here worried as how such high end "made\assembled in China" communication equipment, which cannot be procured without government licence, reach Red Zone. Though such gadgets, including high-end Motorola sets having ranges up to 35 miles and ICOM radio sets, could reach Maoists via the north-east smuggling network, a section within security agencies suspects that such 'sets' cannot reach smugglers' unless someone within the government across the border help them.
Officials suspect that a number of such sophisticated equipment might have reached the Maoists. "The BSF could lay its hands on the seized items through its network of human intelligence, but we don't know how many of such gadgets are still in possession of the ultras. We are trying to reach at the bottom of the entire issue," said an official.
The seizure confirmed Maoists' links with north-east insurgent groups, mainly the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of Manipur, which is quite active in procuring arms and ammunitions from Chinese smugglers.
Pitching for a comprehensive probe, Khader in his note said: "The acquisition of the sophisticated communication equipment of foreign origin by the Maoists has now been confirmed by this seizure. Therefore, the possibility of procurement of modern small arms and other deadly war-like store from foreign sources by the Maoists cannot be ruled out in future.".......................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDEyLzAxLzIwI0FyMDExMDE=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
Salmam Rushdie ..... controversy refuses to die .... appears to be a big 'game' to keep the author away from lit. fest.
Now, SIMI threat to Rushdie?
Vishwa Mohan \TNN
New Delhi: The Centre on Wednesday put the Rajasthan and Delhi governments on alert over plans to target Salman Rushdie if the controversial author goes ahead and attends the Jaipur Literature Festival beginning Friday.
The Centre,in its alert,said there was a plan by a leader of the outlawed fundamentalist outfit Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) to target Rushdie.The home ministry also warned authorities in DelhiRushdies likely disembarkation point in case he chooses to defy the threatsthat the Mumbai-based Raza Academy plans to humiliate the celebrated author.According to the ministry,academy general secretary Saeed Noorie has announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh to anyone who hurls a slipper at Rushdie.
The home ministry claimed that SIMI leader Saquib Nachan,who is one of the accused in the 2003 Mulund blast case,was exploring the option of targeting Rushdie during his visit.Nachan,a familiar figure for counter-terror agencies,has been out on bail since January 2011.
Citing the threats,the Centre has asked both Rajasthan and Delhi to make adequate security arrangements to ensure protection to Rushdie and for maintaining peace and communal harmony.
The Rajasthan government,wary of being accused of caving in to protests against the presence of Salman Rushdie at the Jaipur Literature Festival,appeared to be ramping up the pressure on the organizers to keep Rushdie away from the festival.I am sure the organizers will respect the sentiments of the local people, chief minister Ashok Gehlot said.
In fact,Gehlot,who discussed the issue with home minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday,appeared to put the onus of warding off the threat of violence on the organizers of the festival even as he hailed the event as a matter of pride for Jaipur.Organizers should themselves step forward to ensure that things dont come to such a pass where there is a law and order situation.Government wishes that no such eventuality arises, the CM said in Jaipur.
Rajasthan government has so far walked a tightrope between nudging the organizers to cajole Rushdie into dropping his plans for India and not appearing to be giving into pressure from the protesters lest it is accused of appeasement.Gehlots remarks,however,pointed to an anxiety to achieve a swift closure on the matter.
Organizers who had on Tuesday said that Rushdie would not attend the inaugural event on Friday as planned kept quiet on Wednesday even as will he,wont he speculation persisted with greater intensity.The advisory issued by the home ministry was premised on the information the government had received from the organizers about Rushdies plan to touch down at New Delhi on Thursday.
Established in 1978 by Noorie and others,Raza Academy was set up for educational awareness among minorities,for raising voice against the atrocities on minorities and for all minority related matters......http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDEyLzAxLzE5I0FyMDAxMDc=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
Vishwa Mohan \TNN
New Delhi: The Centre on Wednesday put the Rajasthan and Delhi governments on alert over plans to target Salman Rushdie if the controversial author goes ahead and attends the Jaipur Literature Festival beginning Friday.
The Centre,in its alert,said there was a plan by a leader of the outlawed fundamentalist outfit Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) to target Rushdie.The home ministry also warned authorities in DelhiRushdies likely disembarkation point in case he chooses to defy the threatsthat the Mumbai-based Raza Academy plans to humiliate the celebrated author.According to the ministry,academy general secretary Saeed Noorie has announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh to anyone who hurls a slipper at Rushdie.
The home ministry claimed that SIMI leader Saquib Nachan,who is one of the accused in the 2003 Mulund blast case,was exploring the option of targeting Rushdie during his visit.Nachan,a familiar figure for counter-terror agencies,has been out on bail since January 2011.
Citing the threats,the Centre has asked both Rajasthan and Delhi to make adequate security arrangements to ensure protection to Rushdie and for maintaining peace and communal harmony.
The Rajasthan government,wary of being accused of caving in to protests against the presence of Salman Rushdie at the Jaipur Literature Festival,appeared to be ramping up the pressure on the organizers to keep Rushdie away from the festival.I am sure the organizers will respect the sentiments of the local people, chief minister Ashok Gehlot said.
In fact,Gehlot,who discussed the issue with home minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday,appeared to put the onus of warding off the threat of violence on the organizers of the festival even as he hailed the event as a matter of pride for Jaipur.Organizers should themselves step forward to ensure that things dont come to such a pass where there is a law and order situation.Government wishes that no such eventuality arises, the CM said in Jaipur.
Rajasthan government has so far walked a tightrope between nudging the organizers to cajole Rushdie into dropping his plans for India and not appearing to be giving into pressure from the protesters lest it is accused of appeasement.Gehlots remarks,however,pointed to an anxiety to achieve a swift closure on the matter.
Organizers who had on Tuesday said that Rushdie would not attend the inaugural event on Friday as planned kept quiet on Wednesday even as will he,wont he speculation persisted with greater intensity.The advisory issued by the home ministry was premised on the information the government had received from the organizers about Rushdies plan to touch down at New Delhi on Thursday.
Established in 1978 by Noorie and others,Raza Academy was set up for educational awareness among minorities,for raising voice against the atrocities on minorities and for all minority related matters......http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDEyLzAxLzE5I0FyMDAxMDc=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Jaipur Literature Festival ..... political considerations may dampen the spirit ..... Is the govt. so weak to bend before fanatics?
CM Ashok Gehlot meets Chidambaram, warns against Rushdie visit
Akhilesh Kumar Singh & Vishwa Mohan |TNN| Jan 18, 2012, 03.48AM IST
Jaipur/New Delhi: Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday confirmed that his government was concerned about the repercussions of celebrated author Salman Rushdie's visit on law and order in the state.
Gehlot, who apprised Union home minister P Chidambaram of his fears, told reporters that his government respected the sentiments of those who don't wish Rushdie to attend the Jaipur Literature Festival, and was anxious to avert a law and order situation.
"There are security concerns in Jaipur as a few Muslim organizations met me to express reservations about the author's visit. They have also threatened to organize protests. Moreover, a breakdown of law and order is also not ruled out," he said.
"No state government will want a law and order situation. I have informed the Centre about the prevailing sentiments," he added without sharing any details on the Centre's views.
This is the first instance when the state government has placed on record its worries about the resistance of Muslims to Rushdie's plans to attend the literature fest.
TOI had on Tuesday reported that Rajasthan government was nudging organizers of the literary event to persuade Rushdie not to turn up. Gehlot confirmed that his officials were talking to the organizers to find a way out.
Besides the threat of unrest, the anxiety not to offend Muslim sentiment ahead of UP polls was another driver for the government. Central intelligence agencies are learnt to have determined that the "threat" of violence was not big enough to force Rushdie to stay away, a determination which confirms the role of political considerations.
Working through the organizers helps government because it, ordinarily speaking, cannot stop Rushdie. The author, who inflamed Muslim sentiments with his 'Satanic Verses' and spent years in hiding to dodge a death fatwa, is a Person of Indian Origin: a category which doesn't need visas to visit India. The buffer of organizers can also protect the government against the impression of capitulation to pressure from hardliners.
The organizers denied that the visit of Rushdie, who would have been among the biggest draws, has been cancelled. However, there were clear indications of a re-think. Sanjoy Roy, producer of the festival, admitted that the author will skip the inaugural day on January 20. Saying that the invitation to Rushdie had not been withdrawn, Roy was silent about the date when the author would turn up. "Salman Rushdie is not in India on January 20 due to change in his schedule. The festival stands by its invitation to Rushdie," Roy said cryptically.
The two sessions that Rushdie was originally supposed to address have been taken off the official website of the festival.
Significantly, Jaipur administration has no information about Rushdie's trip: something that would have been unlikely if he indeed had a firm plan to turn up on a later date. Gehlot also said that the state government knew nothing about his travel plans.
No booking has been done yet in the name of the author, leading to speculation that the organizers may persuade him to address the gathering through video link. Festival insiders told TOI that a few other authors, too, expressed concerns about Rushdie's proposed visit, as it could mar the festival's ambience.
It is learnt that the owners of Diggy Palace - venue of the festival - are a worried lot as well. The administration told organizers that heavy security would put off many foreign visitors.
People's Union for Civil Liberties organized a protest rally against the government's stand on Rushdie. Kavita Srivastava, general secretary, PUCL, Rajasthan, said: "The Rushdie protest has raised serious issues about the Rajasthan government which at the drop of a hat is willing to sacrifice our constitutional rights of Article 19 relating to freedom of speech and expression. In order to assert our right, we condemn this attitude of responding to groups that are opportunistic and illiberal and narrow in their outlook."..................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JSi8yMDEyLzAxLzE4I0FyMDAxMDE=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
AND
.....http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JSi8yMDEyLzAxLzE4I0FyMDAyMDI=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
Akhilesh Kumar Singh & Vishwa Mohan |TNN| Jan 18, 2012, 03.48AM IST
Jaipur/New Delhi: Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday confirmed that his government was concerned about the repercussions of celebrated author Salman Rushdie's visit on law and order in the state.
Gehlot, who apprised Union home minister P Chidambaram of his fears, told reporters that his government respected the sentiments of those who don't wish Rushdie to attend the Jaipur Literature Festival, and was anxious to avert a law and order situation.
"There are security concerns in Jaipur as a few Muslim organizations met me to express reservations about the author's visit. They have also threatened to organize protests. Moreover, a breakdown of law and order is also not ruled out," he said.
"No state government will want a law and order situation. I have informed the Centre about the prevailing sentiments," he added without sharing any details on the Centre's views.
This is the first instance when the state government has placed on record its worries about the resistance of Muslims to Rushdie's plans to attend the literature fest.
TOI had on Tuesday reported that Rajasthan government was nudging organizers of the literary event to persuade Rushdie not to turn up. Gehlot confirmed that his officials were talking to the organizers to find a way out.
Besides the threat of unrest, the anxiety not to offend Muslim sentiment ahead of UP polls was another driver for the government. Central intelligence agencies are learnt to have determined that the "threat" of violence was not big enough to force Rushdie to stay away, a determination which confirms the role of political considerations.
Working through the organizers helps government because it, ordinarily speaking, cannot stop Rushdie. The author, who inflamed Muslim sentiments with his 'Satanic Verses' and spent years in hiding to dodge a death fatwa, is a Person of Indian Origin: a category which doesn't need visas to visit India. The buffer of organizers can also protect the government against the impression of capitulation to pressure from hardliners.
The organizers denied that the visit of Rushdie, who would have been among the biggest draws, has been cancelled. However, there were clear indications of a re-think. Sanjoy Roy, producer of the festival, admitted that the author will skip the inaugural day on January 20. Saying that the invitation to Rushdie had not been withdrawn, Roy was silent about the date when the author would turn up. "Salman Rushdie is not in India on January 20 due to change in his schedule. The festival stands by its invitation to Rushdie," Roy said cryptically.
The two sessions that Rushdie was originally supposed to address have been taken off the official website of the festival.
Significantly, Jaipur administration has no information about Rushdie's trip: something that would have been unlikely if he indeed had a firm plan to turn up on a later date. Gehlot also said that the state government knew nothing about his travel plans.
No booking has been done yet in the name of the author, leading to speculation that the organizers may persuade him to address the gathering through video link. Festival insiders told TOI that a few other authors, too, expressed concerns about Rushdie's proposed visit, as it could mar the festival's ambience.
It is learnt that the owners of Diggy Palace - venue of the festival - are a worried lot as well. The administration told organizers that heavy security would put off many foreign visitors.
People's Union for Civil Liberties organized a protest rally against the government's stand on Rushdie. Kavita Srivastava, general secretary, PUCL, Rajasthan, said: "The Rushdie protest has raised serious issues about the Rajasthan government which at the drop of a hat is willing to sacrifice our constitutional rights of Article 19 relating to freedom of speech and expression. In order to assert our right, we condemn this attitude of responding to groups that are opportunistic and illiberal and narrow in their outlook."..................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JSi8yMDEyLzAxLzE4I0FyMDAxMDE=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
AND
.....http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JSi8yMDEyLzAxLzE4I0FyMDAyMDI=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
Indo-Nepal: ..... common concerns need joint effort ..... airport security is one of them
India to help Nepal strengthen security at Kathmandu airport
Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Jan 17, 2012, 03.26AM IST
NEW DELHI: India will help Nepal in modernizing its immigration facilities and strengthening security at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu in a move that may not only help both the countries in averting any Indian Airlines IC-814-type of hijacking, but also help in preventing criminals\terrorists from using TIA as 'soft' exit or entry point.
Though Kathmandu has improved its security architecture at TIA substantially since the 1999 hijacking episode, New Delhi has been on toes to convince its Nepalese counterparts to take all such measures at its airport that had been part of international security system.
"Any lapse on the part of Nepal can cost us heavily in India, considering visa-free travel between both the countries. Kathmandu understands our concerns and has been consistently improving its system," said a senior official.
The issue was discussed on the first day of the home secretary-level talks between the two countries here on Monday. The Indian delegation was led by home secretary R K Singh, while the Nepalese delegation was led by his counterpart Sushil Jung Bahadur Rana.
Both the countries also decided to share terror-related information on a 'real-time' basis and take measures to check circulation of fake Indian currency notes (FICNs) and misuse of mobile SIM cards. It was agreed that the home secretary of either country may telephone his counterpart to discuss or seek cooperation on any terror-related issues on a real-time basis.
"It has been noted that criminals and terrorists use SIM cards - taken either from India or Nepal - in border areas to prevent detection. Both the countries assured each other to detect such cards and prevent their misuse," said the official.
India raised the issue of FICN in the backdrop of recent cases, where the Delhi Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had arrested 16 people in separate raids and seized counterfeit currency worth crores of rupees. During interrogation of the accused and subsequent probe, Indian agencies found that the counterfeiters use Nepal as one of their bases to flood FICNs in India.
"Sharing of information\intelligence reports, progress is establishment of Integrated Check Post and border roads and India's support in training and capacity building of Nepal's security apparatus were also discussed," said the home ministry in a statement.
The talks will conclude on Tuesday. The last home secretary-level talks between the two countries were held in Kathmandu in November, 2009.........http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDEyLzAxLzE3I0FyMDA5MDI=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Jan 17, 2012, 03.26AM IST
NEW DELHI: India will help Nepal in modernizing its immigration facilities and strengthening security at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu in a move that may not only help both the countries in averting any Indian Airlines IC-814-type of hijacking, but also help in preventing criminals\terrorists from using TIA as 'soft' exit or entry point.
Though Kathmandu has improved its security architecture at TIA substantially since the 1999 hijacking episode, New Delhi has been on toes to convince its Nepalese counterparts to take all such measures at its airport that had been part of international security system.
"Any lapse on the part of Nepal can cost us heavily in India, considering visa-free travel between both the countries. Kathmandu understands our concerns and has been consistently improving its system," said a senior official.
The issue was discussed on the first day of the home secretary-level talks between the two countries here on Monday. The Indian delegation was led by home secretary R K Singh, while the Nepalese delegation was led by his counterpart Sushil Jung Bahadur Rana.
Both the countries also decided to share terror-related information on a 'real-time' basis and take measures to check circulation of fake Indian currency notes (FICNs) and misuse of mobile SIM cards. It was agreed that the home secretary of either country may telephone his counterpart to discuss or seek cooperation on any terror-related issues on a real-time basis.
"It has been noted that criminals and terrorists use SIM cards - taken either from India or Nepal - in border areas to prevent detection. Both the countries assured each other to detect such cards and prevent their misuse," said the official.
India raised the issue of FICN in the backdrop of recent cases, where the Delhi Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had arrested 16 people in separate raids and seized counterfeit currency worth crores of rupees. During interrogation of the accused and subsequent probe, Indian agencies found that the counterfeiters use Nepal as one of their bases to flood FICNs in India.
"Sharing of information\intelligence reports, progress is establishment of Integrated Check Post and border roads and India's support in training and capacity building of Nepal's security apparatus were also discussed," said the home ministry in a statement.
The talks will conclude on Tuesday. The last home secretary-level talks between the two countries were held in Kathmandu in November, 2009.........http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDEyLzAxLzE3I0FyMDA5MDI=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
Saturday, January 14, 2012
NCTC .. National Counter Terrorism Centre ... a new beginning ... fourth pillar of the anti-terror institutional architecture ... NIA, NSG hubs, NATGRID and now NCTC
Govt finally clears umbrella anti-terror organization
Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Jan 13, 2012, 03.28AM IST
NEW DELHI: Government on Thursday finally gave its approval to set up a 'specialized' anti-terror body, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), which will work as a single-window entity to pool together and collate terror-related intelligence inputs, draw plans to neutralize terror modules and coordinate action among different terror agencies to defuse threats.
A core team of this body comprising its director and other top officials will be put in place by end-March or early April, completing the counter-terror institutional architecture that Union home minister P Chidambaram had planned after the 26/11 strikes.
The NCTC will work as an "integral" part of the Intelligence Bureau, but will be exclusively focused on counter-terrorism on the lines of specialized anti-terror agencies in the US, the UK, Germany, France, Israel, Russia, China and Japan.
As part of Centre's post-26/11 blueprint, NIA, National Intelligence Grid and NSG hubs designed to facilitate the spreading of the commandos across the country, have been set up. The NCTC, the remaining piece, was held up because of reservations among certain quarters of the government over its scope. The final design has accommodated the concerns of various wings of the government that were stakeholders in the decision.
Asked whether the proposed set up for the NCTC reflected a dilution of his earlier plans, Chidambaram said, "It's not a comedown. This is a beginning. Eventually based on our experience, based on what we find our shortcomings, deficiencies or the safeguard that has to be built, it will eventually grow into a kind of organization that I envisaged."
Talking to reporters after the Cabinet committee on security gave "in principle" clearance to the NCTC, the home minister said its function will include drawing up of plans and coordinating all actions, particularly counterterrorism.
Chidambaram said the core team will be the "nucleus" around which the NCTC will be built. "After obtaining the necessary approvals from department of expenditure and DoPT, we will begin the work of appointing the core team," he said.
Spelling out the brief for the NCTC, Chidambaram said the agency will also coordinate with relevant probe and intelligence agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of terror are brought to justice, besides maintaining comprehensive database of terrorists, their associates and supporters.
"It will ensure that all agencies have access and receive all intelligence support", he said, adding it will be under Intelligence Bureau and report to its director, Union home secretary and the home minister. The home minister, however, did not disclose finer details of its functioning. At present, the IB's anti-terror function is being looked after by the multi agency centre (MAC), that will be subsumed into it........http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JQ0gvMjAxMi8wMS8xMyNBcjAxMjAx&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Jan 13, 2012, 03.28AM IST
NEW DELHI: Government on Thursday finally gave its approval to set up a 'specialized' anti-terror body, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), which will work as a single-window entity to pool together and collate terror-related intelligence inputs, draw plans to neutralize terror modules and coordinate action among different terror agencies to defuse threats.
A core team of this body comprising its director and other top officials will be put in place by end-March or early April, completing the counter-terror institutional architecture that Union home minister P Chidambaram had planned after the 26/11 strikes.
The NCTC will work as an "integral" part of the Intelligence Bureau, but will be exclusively focused on counter-terrorism on the lines of specialized anti-terror agencies in the US, the UK, Germany, France, Israel, Russia, China and Japan.
As part of Centre's post-26/11 blueprint, NIA, National Intelligence Grid and NSG hubs designed to facilitate the spreading of the commandos across the country, have been set up. The NCTC, the remaining piece, was held up because of reservations among certain quarters of the government over its scope. The final design has accommodated the concerns of various wings of the government that were stakeholders in the decision.
Asked whether the proposed set up for the NCTC reflected a dilution of his earlier plans, Chidambaram said, "It's not a comedown. This is a beginning. Eventually based on our experience, based on what we find our shortcomings, deficiencies or the safeguard that has to be built, it will eventually grow into a kind of organization that I envisaged."
Talking to reporters after the Cabinet committee on security gave "in principle" clearance to the NCTC, the home minister said its function will include drawing up of plans and coordinating all actions, particularly counterterrorism.
Chidambaram said the core team will be the "nucleus" around which the NCTC will be built. "After obtaining the necessary approvals from department of expenditure and DoPT, we will begin the work of appointing the core team," he said.
Spelling out the brief for the NCTC, Chidambaram said the agency will also coordinate with relevant probe and intelligence agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of terror are brought to justice, besides maintaining comprehensive database of terrorists, their associates and supporters.
"It will ensure that all agencies have access and receive all intelligence support", he said, adding it will be under Intelligence Bureau and report to its director, Union home secretary and the home minister. The home minister, however, did not disclose finer details of its functioning. At present, the IB's anti-terror function is being looked after by the multi agency centre (MAC), that will be subsumed into it........http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JQ0gvMjAxMi8wMS8xMyNBcjAxMjAx&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
FICN .... a tool to fund terror. India to share details with Pakistan - the country which harbours the kingpin Dawood Ibrahim
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NIA busts fake currency racket, arrests 14 persons
Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Jan 11, 2012, 06.13AM IST
NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has claimed to have busted a major 'fake Indian currency notes' (FICNs) racket and arrested 14 persons - including leaders of the gang operating out of Malda in West Bengal - during a nationwide swoop. The accused were found to have direct links with their coordinators in Pakistan where these notes were printed.
Four persons including the Indian kingpin Morgen Hussain were arrested from Malda while four others were caught in Hyderabad, three in Tamil Nadu and one each in Gulbarga (Karnataka), Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) and Delhi.
"Arrests show that the gang - part of an international network - had virtually a pan-India presence. Raids are still continuing in nine states including Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana and West Bengal," said an official. He added that the seizures and subsequent probe supported India's claim about Pakistani spy agency ISI's role in its grand design to "destabilize the monetary stability of India" through pumping in huge numbers of FICNs.
"Such a high quality of FICNs cannot be printed without government-linked agency's role or support. Though NIA had mentioned this in its earlier chargesheet in similar cases of Mumbai, the current seizures and disclosures made by the conduits have substantiated the charges," the official said.
Referring to interrogation of the accused and technical surveillance, the NIA claims that the gang used to get its consignment of high quality FICNs - printed in Pakistan - through its network in Bangladesh and Nepal. It was found during the probe that the fake currency notes -- in denominations of Rs 1000, Rs 500 and Rs 100 - were smuggled to Bangladesh via air route before finally reaching its destination in different north-eastern and West Bengal villages.
Besides using usual smuggling network, suppliers of these FICNs in Bangladesh also used to throw the bundles of fake currency notes into the Indian villages bordering Bangladesh. "The accused persons with their aides used to collect the said FICN and distribute the same to the agents spread all over the country," the agency said.
"The gang members used to transport the FICNs through trains and other modes of transport to all the states for its circulation. The local agents used to collect 60% of the value of FICNs from the circulators in genuine notes," it added.
As per the deal, the genuine currency was then remitted to the bank accounts of the key persons by depositing amounts to the maximum of Rs 49,000 to avoid being detected as suspicious transactions.
"The network used bank accounts and ATMs for transferring back the genuine currency earned out of circulating the high quality, high value fake currency to the suppliers of the same based in Malda. The raids, which had begun on January 6, have led to the recovery of large number of ATM cards, bank passbooks, SIM cards and FICNs," the NIA said.
The agency, which got help from different state police during the raids, has, meanwhile, alerted the BSF to tighten its vigil along the Indo-Bangladesh border in the entire north-eastern region..............http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JUFUvMjAxMi8wMS8xMSNBcjAxMjA1&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
NIA busts fake currency racket, arrests 14 persons
Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Jan 11, 2012, 06.13AM IST
NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has claimed to have busted a major 'fake Indian currency notes' (FICNs) racket and arrested 14 persons - including leaders of the gang operating out of Malda in West Bengal - during a nationwide swoop. The accused were found to have direct links with their coordinators in Pakistan where these notes were printed.
Four persons including the Indian kingpin Morgen Hussain were arrested from Malda while four others were caught in Hyderabad, three in Tamil Nadu and one each in Gulbarga (Karnataka), Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) and Delhi.
"Arrests show that the gang - part of an international network - had virtually a pan-India presence. Raids are still continuing in nine states including Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana and West Bengal," said an official. He added that the seizures and subsequent probe supported India's claim about Pakistani spy agency ISI's role in its grand design to "destabilize the monetary stability of India" through pumping in huge numbers of FICNs.
"Such a high quality of FICNs cannot be printed without government-linked agency's role or support. Though NIA had mentioned this in its earlier chargesheet in similar cases of Mumbai, the current seizures and disclosures made by the conduits have substantiated the charges," the official said.
Referring to interrogation of the accused and technical surveillance, the NIA claims that the gang used to get its consignment of high quality FICNs - printed in Pakistan - through its network in Bangladesh and Nepal. It was found during the probe that the fake currency notes -- in denominations of Rs 1000, Rs 500 and Rs 100 - were smuggled to Bangladesh via air route before finally reaching its destination in different north-eastern and West Bengal villages.
Besides using usual smuggling network, suppliers of these FICNs in Bangladesh also used to throw the bundles of fake currency notes into the Indian villages bordering Bangladesh. "The accused persons with their aides used to collect the said FICN and distribute the same to the agents spread all over the country," the agency said.
"The gang members used to transport the FICNs through trains and other modes of transport to all the states for its circulation. The local agents used to collect 60% of the value of FICNs from the circulators in genuine notes," it added.
As per the deal, the genuine currency was then remitted to the bank accounts of the key persons by depositing amounts to the maximum of Rs 49,000 to avoid being detected as suspicious transactions.
"The network used bank accounts and ATMs for transferring back the genuine currency earned out of circulating the high quality, high value fake currency to the suppliers of the same based in Malda. The raids, which had begun on January 6, have led to the recovery of large number of ATM cards, bank passbooks, SIM cards and FICNs," the NIA said.
The agency, which got help from different state police during the raids, has, meanwhile, alerted the BSF to tighten its vigil along the Indo-Bangladesh border in the entire north-eastern region..............http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JUFUvMjAxMi8wMS8xMSNBcjAxMjA1&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
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