Govt admits intelligence gaps, to strengthen security

Admitting that there were "gaps" in the intelligence set up, Govt said it will take a number of steps, including strengthening laws and setting up a National Investigation Agency to insulate the country from terror strikes.

Admitting that there were "gaps" in the intelligence set up, Government on Thursday said it will take a number of steps, including strengthening laws and setting up a National Investigation Agency (NIA) to insulate the country from terror strikes like in Mumbai.

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In a suo-motu statement in the Lok Sabha, Home Minister P Chidambaram said that the government has decided to set up a Coastal Command for overall security of 7,500-km coast-line and create NSG hubs in various parts of the country as part of measures to make the protective system more effective.

He said the government proposes to bring a set of Bills "to strengthen the legal provisions relating to the prevention, investigation, prosecution and punishment of terror acts".

The government was in the process of consulting political parties in this regard. "I would urge this House to consider and pass these bills in this session," Chidambaram said.

An identical statement was made by Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal in the Rajya Sabha.