Kerala has kept NIA busiest: Agency to build permanent office complex

New Delhi, June 25: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) plans on boosting its presence in the sensitive areas of the country. While two new branch offices would come up at Jammu and Raipur, the NIA has sought the home ministry's nod to move into a building of their own.

Incidentally in Kerala the NIA has a bulk of the cases. The NIA would also need more staff in its Kerala unit consider the work load.

The current strength is 30. The government has already sanctioned the offices at Raipur and Jammu apart from an additional staff strength of 200. A formal order in this regard from the Home Ministry is expected soon.

The Jammu unit is an important one and the staff strength recommended is 70. Once the sanctions in the case of Jammu and Raipur come through the NIA would have 8 branches across the country.

The NIA had insisted that a branch in Jammu be sanctioned. The NIA is currently investigating the Udhampur attack case and operates out of a camp office.

The branch in Jammu is being opened up considering the numerous incidents of terror in the state. The unit would also have a full fledged intelligence wing which would help in probing terror attacks. The intelligence wing would also coordinate with the military.

In Kerala there is a proposal to increase the staff strength. The NIA currently deals with several cases in Kerala and feels that a strength of 30 staff is not sufficient. The NIA will seek the home ministry's nod to enhance the staff strength.

Further the NIA is also planning on constructing a building in Kerala. The NIA is currently operating out of a rented property. A property at Kalamaseery has been identified and work will commence once the Home Ministry gives the nod.

Currently the NIA in Kerala operates from a rented building near Kadavanthara. The NIA's Kochi branch was set up in 2013. An exclusive branch had been set up due to the high number of cases being reported from the state.

OneIndia News