Now, local policemen also intel officers
In a special workshop held on Tuesday at Worli, officers from local police stations were trained in gathering intelligence with terror related cases and other aspects of religious extremism. The move is a part of a larger plan to enable even the local police in gathering information on anti-national elements, apart from the dedicated wings like the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Crime Branch.
Police sources said the primary focus of the workshop was on sensitisation in dealing with members from minority communities. “Better people-police relations is just one part, but it assumes a greater significance in relation to religious extremism, which leads to terrorism. The workshop focuses on befriending and earning the trust of community members, whereby any potential development affecting law and order can be received,” said a police source, who was part of the workshop.
Sources said that the programme is the brainchild of joint commissioner (law and order) Sadanand Date. The police will also be trained in investigative skills such as Internet surveillance, information gathering through social networking sites and other technical aspects of terrorism. Select officers from all the 92 police stations in the city will be trained in batches for the programme.
“Investigation in recent terror cases showed that bombers and sleeper cells rent houses in metropolises and the owner is often not aware of their background. We will also keep an eye on people staying at hotels and lodges,” said another police officer.
Sources also said that local priests and places of worship, including temples, mosques and gurudwaras will be watched.
Post new comment