NEW DELHI: As India battles terror attacks, there is a growing demand in the country for a federal investigative agency similar to the US Department of Homeland Security.

However, the ruling coalition government, which is now in its last few months in office, seems to be dithering on the issue.

Terrorists have struck at will and with impunity in Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Surat, Jaipur and Kolkatta, and the past few months have been bloody and brutal in India.

As the nation watched on live TV how a single officer with the help of six untrained helpers defused 23 live bombs, there was a chorus of condemnation from politicians.

But there has been hardly any progress in tackling terror. None of the perpetrators of the attacks have been apprehended and arrested, let alone brought to trial and punished.

Major General Afsir Karim (retired), member of the National Security Advisory Board, said: "Stringent laws mean you will catch some people, but you will not catch terrorism, you will catch only terrorists.

"A central agency will ensure the terrorist is not trained, he is not indoctrinated and he is not allowed to function. Laws are meant (to be carried out) when the crime is committed. We have to deal with that beforehand."

The Union Home Minister, who is in charge of national security, has called for a federal investigation agency to tackle the menace of terrorism.

Several government and non-government bodies have made similar calls in the past, but it seems there is a lack of political will to go ahead with the idea. Individual states have not given their consent, fearing interference in local affairs.

It is now becoming clearer that battling terrorism is beyond the scope of law-enforcing bodies at local and state levels, and the lack of coordination between intelligence agencies means that terrorists are at an advantage.

Major General Ashok Mehta (retired), a defence expert, said: "If you study the Constitution, it talks about law and order as a state subject. Terrorism is not law and order (problem) and therefore, there is a need for an all-party conference in Parliament to sort this issue out."

A federal counter-terrorism agency will integrate intelligence gathering and investigation, and provide the inputs for arrest and prosecution. But setting it up would require an act of Parliament.

Terror threats by emails and text messages on August 7 and 8 have led to many schools in Delhi enhancing their security. Some schools even advised the students not to bring schoolbags to school.

The police advise against spreading panic, but are sensitising children as young as five years old to report any suspicious activity. India is learning to deal with terrorism.


- CNA/so