Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Dec 26: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday launched two updated databases of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) — the Organised Crime Network Database and the Weapons Database for lost, looted and recovered arms — while inaugurating a two-day Counter-Terrorism Conference organised by the agency.
In his inaugural address, Shah described terrorism as the biggest threat to humanity and called for collective efforts to defeat it. He said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “zero tolerance” against terrorism, the annual conference has evolved into an important platform to address emerging security challenges.
The home minister noted that over the past three years, the government has worked towards institutionalising the conference as an annual exercise. He said it was not merely a forum for discussion, but one that generates actionable outcomes, which are pursued throughout the year by the NIA in coordination with state and central agencies.
“As a result, we are succeeding in building a strong anti-terrorism grid across the country,” Shah said, adding that the conference also aims to analyse terrorist incidents in India and abroad over the past year, assess intelligence inputs and strengthen counter-terrorism capabilities accordingly.
Referring to the changing nature of terrorism driven by technological advancements, Shah said India must prepare to counter future and “invisible” threats by anticipating challenges in advance.
He also released the updated crime manual prepared by the NIA and urged Directors General of Police in all states to constitute teams to study and use the manual for investigation and prosecution purposes.
Explaining the significance of the organised crime network database, Shah said such networks often begin with activities like ransom and extortion. However, when their leaders flee abroad, they come into contact with terrorist organisations and channel proceeds from organised crime to fuel terrorism within the country.
The conference was attended by Union Ministers of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai and Bandi Sanjay Kumar, the Union Home Secretary, the Secretary of R&AW, the Director General of NIA and other senior officials. Senior police officers from states and Union Territories, officers from central agencies, and experts from fields such as law, forensics and technology were also present.