Jaiswal admits shortcomings in intelligence gathering

Tekanpur, MP, June 3 (UNI) Admitting shortcomings in intelligence gathering, Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal today said the state governments should take immediate steps to strengthen the intelligence gathering network down to the police station level.

Talking to reporters after inspecting the Border Security Force Academy here, Mr Jaiswal said certain forces were out to create instability to create hurdles in the country's onward march as a developed one. Such forces wanted to create communal tension and the people should give a befitting reply by unitedly fighting against such tendencies, he asserted.

Referring to the recent attack on religious and sensitive places, Mr Jaiswal said the police should have to strengthen its sources of information. Though law and order was a state subject, the Centre extended help wherever required, he added.

On the BJP charge that revoking POTA led to increased terrorist activities, the Union Minister said it was well known what the BJP had done while the NDA was in power. Attacks on Parliament and the Red Fort took place during the NDA regime, while hardcore terrorists were taken to Kandhar and let off, he pointed out.

The country's geographical situation is such that there is possibility of certain shortcomings in security efforts and some forces try to exploit it, he added.

Keeping in view frequent disasters facing the country, he said two BSF battalions were being raised to exclusively deal with disaster management and the training would be completed in two years. It was also proposed to set up a Disaster Management Authority.

All states were asked to set up disaster management machinery at the district level, he added.

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