PC proposes national counter terrorism centre

New Delhi, Dec 23: Taking lessons from US on how it dealt with the 9/11 attacks, Home Minister P Chidambaram has proposed a National Counter Terrorism Centre for India.

"As the name suggests the goal is to counter terrorism. Such an organisation does not exist today; it has to be created from scratch. I am told that the US was able to do it within 36 months of 9/11," Chidambaram said.

"India cannot afford to wait for 36 months. India must decide now to go forward and succeed in setting it up by the end of 2010," he added, while delivering the 22nd Intelligence Bureau Centenary Endowment lecture here.

Urging the state governments to recruit more policemen and women, the minister said, "In my estimate states would have to recruit over 400,000 constables this year and over the next two years to fill the vacancies."

Chidambaram also called for 24x7 police control rooms in all districts.

On the Central government's initiative to set up a National Intelligence Grid (Natgrid), the minister said, "Under Natgrid, 21 sets of databases will be networked to achieve quick seamless and secure access to desired information for intelligence and enforcement agencies."

Natgrid is expected to be completed in 18 to 24 months

OneIndia News