India will replicate US anti-terror strategies: PC

“Our level of preparedness is much higher than it was three months back and in the event of any attack,our response will be swift and deterring,” he said responding to members’ concern on internal security during the Question Hour.

Chidamabarm said that he would be presenting his third report on the level of preparedness on February 27.

“A team had gone to the US to study their anti-terror strategies,which they had prepared in the wake of 9/11 attacks. The team has come back and we are trying to replicate the strategies studied there,that suit our requirements,” he said.

“By March 31,there will be better coordination between multi-agency centre (MAC) and its subsidiaries and between MAC and special branch of police and various data centres”.

By May this year,all these agencies will be much better placed to reply to any kind of terror attacks,the Home Minister said.

Chidambaram assured the House that he is personally monitoring the investigations in the bomb blasts which took place last year in Jaipur,Ahmedabad,Delhi,Assam and Mumbai.

“All the cases are currently at various stages of investigation. The probe in Delhi blasts is at an advanced stage. Other cases too are at different stages of investigation.

“There are different accused in these cases. While many are arrested,some are yet to be caught. Chargesheets in both the Malegaon blast cases have been filed,” the Minister said.

He further added that armed forces have been equipped with assault rifles including INSAS,AK series and sub machine guns including MP-5 and MP-9.

“I have conducted regular meetings with police chiefs of different states and will be visiting various states next month to review the situation,” Chidambaram said.

Allaying the apprehensions of CPI member D Raja,he said security forces were well-prepared to thwart any kind of infiltration attempts by ISI agents,especially through the southern coasts of the country.

“I agree that ISI has a long arm but we have strengthened our coastal security in Tamil Nadu and Kerala,especially in the last two months. Though there are no reports of any ISI infiltration through southern coasts,but it cannot be ruled out. We are doing our best to ensure that no ISI agent infiltrates into our southern coasts,” he said.

“All applications for visas by people having Sri Lankan passports are also being closely monitored.” Chidambaram also said the government is expanding Central para-military forces,is involved in strengthening of institutional mechanisms for sharing of intelligence and operational coordination with states,and also construction of roads and fencing with floodlighting on the Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangla borders.

He referred to “launching of scheme for coastal security under which assistance is being provided to the states for setting up police stations and boats,jeeps and motorcycles for sea and land patrolling… and expanding infrastructure for state police personnel,including action for setting up of 20 counter-insurgency and anti-terrorism schools.”

The Minister said a decision to set up four NSG hubs in Chennai,Hyderabad,Kolkata and Mumbai has been taken,the Unlawful Activities Prevention (Amendment) Act 2008 has been enacted and the National Investigation Agency Act 2008 has also been passed as part of its anti-terror efforts.