(rptg, correcting garble in second para)

Panaji, Sep 20 (UNI) Advising the States to enhance respective budgetary allocations and plan funds to meet galloping expenditure on maintainance of internal security, Union Home Minister Shivraj V Patil has asked the insurgency affected states to forge cooperation and coordination among themselves first, before approaching the Centre for further assistance.

Interacting with media persons after addressing the 20th crucial westren Zonal Council meeting here today, Mr Patil said the Centre and the States, if need be, can requisition the services of the effective and reputed private security agencies to assist the police in combating terrorism and dealing with other security related issues.

The meeting, he said, discussed various other aspects of internal security like improvising security cover for megacities with Central assistance, and possibility of amending the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr P C) enabling officials of one state in hot pursuit of apprehending a criminal in another State and strengthen the intelligence network and cadre.

The Home minister said the Centre had also received a proposal to raise a ''national cadre'' for developing a police intelligence agency for India for effective functioning.

To a question, Mr Patil said the centre had hitherto been assisting the naxalite and other insurgency infested States with Central forces, free of cost.

At present, 35 batallions with all transport facilities have been assisting in various States and it would continue to do even as the States' demand total reinbursement of expenditrure incurred on countering insurgent forces as was in Jammu and Kashmir.

''It is always better if the affected States themselves intensified cooperation and coordination among the intelligence agencies and other forces to tackle the menace before looking for Central assistance,'' Mr Patil said.

Chief Ministers of Maharashtra Vilasrao Deshmukh, Gujarat Narendra Modi and Goa Pratapsingh Rane besides Union Home Ministers of State Manikrao G Gavit and S Reghupati, Union Home Secretary V K Duggal and representatives of Diu and Daman and Goa chief secretary J P Singh participated in the crucial meeting.

The Union Home Minister also asked the States to present proposals for augmenting security cover in all megacities such as in Mumbai so that the Centre could estimate the cost involved. The proposals should also come out in clear terms with the quantum of funds the respective State administrations were ready to spend and the assistance they required from the Centre.

''The budget shortage to meet the growing security concerns in the current contest is quite hefty and the States should enhance their contribution through their respective budgets and planned allocations,'' Mr Patil added.

About the ''hot pursuit'' of notorious criminals wanted by other States, he said the States had been cooperating with one another when time arose under extraordinary circumstances but the problem arises when the issue becomes questionable.

The Union Home Minister had further said the Council had also discussed the need for strengthening the police force including intelligence wings to tackle with narcotics and drugs related offences.

There was need for strengthening coastal policing with more gagdets such as amphibious vehicles and high-speed boats besides raising joint action forces, if needed to tackle any situation in the sensitive coastal zones.

The need for encouraging community policing and involvement of private institutions and organisation to assist the civil police in times of actual requirement is also felt.

''Even the services of civil defence organisations and and home guard could also be requisitioned. All these measures result in sensitisation of people at large to counter the scourge of terrorism,'' the Home Minister said.

The participating States had also suggested need for seeking cooperation of the media in ''playing a positive role to dispel terrorists tactics of playing with the psychology of people to spread fear psychosis through rumours.'' The states also felt the need for ensuring proper utilisation of the funds meant for economic development and strengthening of police for their training and intelligence gathering and modernisation.

''The discussions I had with the three Chief Ministers and officials of Diu and Daman were quite satisfactory without any political overtones or connotations or nuances and their suggtestions were more responsible and positive, ''Mr Patil said.

UNI BM MJ VD HT1745