Centre proposes ‘intelligence coordination group’ for Northeast

Underlining the need to make intelligence inputs actionable, especially in view of the recent serial blasts in Assam and Tripura, the Centre has proposed the setting up of an intelligence coordination group for the Northeastern region. This, it was proposed, would facilitate better communication of information between the Centre and the eight Northeastern states, as well as within the states.

The idea to set up such a group was discussed at a meeting, called by the Home Ministry, of the chief secretaries and directors general of police from the eight states. Chaired by National Security Advisor M K Narayanan, the meeting was also attended by Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar, Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta and representatives of central security and paramilitary forces.

Stating that issues such as the movement of terror groups across the states, links between such groups across state boundaries and border-related issues with Bangladesh and Myanmar affected states in the region, Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta said there was “a need to do things commonly” rather than following state-specific approaches.

Gupta said an intelligence coordination group would facilitate institutionalising and streamlining intelligence inputs and ensure they can be analysed and converted into actionable points by those who require them on the ground.