The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday reviewed the law and order situation in West Bengal, with Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah chairing a high-level meeting in Kolkata. The review focused on strengthening the state’s security apparatus, police capabilities, judicial system and public service delivery through a series of measures aimed at improving internal security and governance.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Minister of West Bengal, the State Chief Secretary and senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the West Bengal government.
During the meeting, the Home Minister directed the implementation of a Women Outreach Programme, with a special focus on ensuring the safety and empowerment of women in rural areas.
“Officials should establish regular dialogue with rural women and work towards creating awareness and empowering them,” Shah said, adding that the state government could directly approach the Ministry of Home Affairs whenever necessary for support.
To strengthen the state’s internal security architecture, the Home Minister directed the establishment of an Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), an Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and a Special Investigation Agency (SIA) on the lines of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The meeting also decided that the National Investigation Agency, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, would undertake a comprehensive review of all terrorism and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)-related cases concerning West Bengal.
The Home Minister further directed that illegal encroachments on government land in border areas be removed as part of efforts to strengthen border security.
Emphasising police modernisation, Shah assured adequate financial assistance from the Ministry of Home Affairs for strengthening the West Bengal Police.
“Adequate budgetary support will be provided for the modernisation of the state police and improvement of service delivery systems,” he said.
As part of the reform process, the police force cadre will be reviewed to bring its strength in line with the national average. The meeting also discussed rationalising police districts, filling vacant posts in a time-bound manner, enhancing training capacity, reducing dependence on civic volunteers and prioritising the recruitment of constables.
The Home Minister also announced that one-third of the security camps established in areas previously affected by Left-Wing Extremism would be converted into Public Service Centres to improve the delivery of government services in those regions.
The review meeting further stressed the need to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities, conduct regular meetings under the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism to combat drug trafficking, and prepare a comprehensive flood management plan for Kolkata.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said key priorities for immediate implementation were identified during the meeting, and the concerned agencies were directed to ensure their time-bound execution.
