Manmohan to chair a high-level meeting to review internal security

The Centre will take a holistic review of the internal security of the country by holding a high-level meeting here today.

New Delhi, Dec 20 : The Centre will take a holistic review of the internal security of the country by holding a high-level meeting here today.

Apart from the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and North Eastern States, Naxalite violence and terrorism in the hinterland will be the main focus of the meeting.

The conference will be attended by all the Chief Ministers of the States, and will be chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The meeting will also be attended by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

Top officials of paramilitary forces and security agencies will also participate in the conference.

Among the measures to effectively deal with the threats to internal security, augmentation and modernization of state police forces, training of police personnel, strengthening of the intelligence apparatus, investigation of terrorism-related cases, security in mega cities, border management, bilateral and international co-operation will figure in the day-long meeting.

The conference is expected to stress on co-ordination between the state administration and the central intelligence agencies on sharing of intelligence inputs.

The proposal for setting up a special central investigative agency to probe terror related incidents is also expected to be a highlight during the conference.

The growing strength of Maoists in different States of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal has led to rising concerns, and has prompted for a review of the strategy to tackle it.

The last meeting with Chief Ministers on internal security was held on September 5, 2006.

ANI