IB is ready to part with nodal agency
The Intelligence Bureau is all set to part with the Multi Agency Centre (MAC), which presently acts as the nodal authority on all counter-terror functions of collating, analysing and disseminating terror inputs in the country since the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The revised National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) proposal, firmed up by the Union home ministry, has placed the MAC under a “stand-alone’’ NCTC which will work directly under the home ministry and not the IB.
Incidentally, the IB had been opposed to any dilution of the counter-terror mechanism under its ambit when the NCTC concept was first drafted by the MHA.NCTC will also retain the contentious “powers of arrest and search’’ but it will be allowed to use such powers only in exceptional cases. The MHA may not hold further consultations with the states now and take the proposal to the Cabinet Committee on Security after the July 19 Presidential poll. The effort is to issue a fresh executive order and make the NCTC running on the ground as soon as possible.
The government, through an executive order on December 31, 2008, had re-activated the MAC under the IB giving it a broader and compulsory membership of 15 intelligence and central police organisations. However, this task will be performed by the NCTC once it is in place.
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Dastagir Sahib fire was arson?
Rajnish Sharma
New Delhi, July 12
Security agencies suspect foulplay in the mysterious burning of one of the most holy shrines in the Kashmir Valley, the Dastgir Sahib, on June. Intelligence sources say there is information to suggest that some subversive elements might have deliberately gutted the holy shrine on the same day as the Amarnath Yatra was to begin in an attempt to foment fresh trouble in the Valley.
The possibility, sources added, of Pakistan based terror outfits being behind the incident cannot be ruled out. The Kashmir Valley has witnessed one of the most peaceful summer since militancy broke out in the state almost two decades ago. Security officials said only seven security personnel and three civilians have been killed by militants since January this year.
“Clearly, someone is not too happy with the peace in the Valley and wants to trigger fresh trouble. We have some information that subversive elements operating out of Pakistan may be behind this mischief,’’ a top intelligence official remarked.
Intelligence sources said having failed to infiltrate in large numbers in to the Valley the frustrated Pak based terror groups are now trying to this strategy to create fresh trouble for the law enforcing agencies in the state.
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