NEW DELHI : The Union Home Ministry has asked the State Governments to accord top priority to strengthening of special branches of police, revise the Special Branch Manual and set up Inter-State Intelligence Support Teams (ISISTs).

The Ministry is concerned over the lack of interest among the States to spruce up the intelligence gathering machinery at the district and local police station levels.

The concern of strengthening micro-level intelligence collection machinery was reiterated earlier this month at the conference of the Chief Ministers of the naxal-violence hit States as well as at the meeting of top administration and police officials that reviewed the internal security scenario in the country.

Cross-border terrorism

Noting that major internal security concerns emanate from cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, subversive activities of militant groups in the North-East and violence perpetrated by the naxalite groups in 12 States, top Ministry officials said the State governments have also been sensitised about "soft targets" such as religious places, shrines, market places, scientific institutions and vital installationsbeing chosen by terrorists.

Multi Agency Centre

The Ministry has impressed upon the States the need for expediting the setting up of ISISTs in association with the Intelligence Bureau that would deal with internal security threats concerning more than one State. In order to streamline and optimise intelligence flow and strike a coordination between multifarious agencies in the field of counter terrorism, a Multi Agency Centre (MAC) has already become functional in the IB, supported by Subsidiary Multi Agency Centres at the State headquarters.

The Joint Task Force on Intelligence (JTFI) in the IB has also been functioning for coordinating and synergising the efforts of intelligence wings of the Central Police Organisations (CPOs) and the Special Branches of the State police forces.

"Actionable intelligence"

Stressing on timely and credible intelligence on the plans and activities of terrorists, insurgents and naxalites, the Ministry said it was critical to pre-emptive and counter action against terrorist acts.

More important was the sustained flow of "actionable intelligence" at the district and police station levels.

While admitting that naxalite violence was on the rise in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand and pockets of Bihar, the officials said it was necessary to involve police station level functionaries in intelligence gathering and its sharing to achieve maximum results.

For live contact

The Ministry suggested that the Superintendent of Police at the district level needs to maintain a live contact with people to ensure a regular flow of information.

It also suggested that the States could provide some incentives and specialised training to the police personnel to be posted in Special Branches with a stable tenure of at least three years.

The States may also consider having a separate cadre or sub-cadre of police personnel to man posts in Special Branches.

Senior officials pointed out that the recent incidents of naxal violence against policemen and others in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Aurangabad were a matter of "serious concern" as naxal cadres showed precise, accurate planning in their strikes.

Weak area

While collection of intelligence through technical surveillance was crucial, sources said real and actionable intelligence at the micro level had to come through human assets.

It remained a weak area, and needed to be strengthened at the micro level.

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