Amit Shah Chairs Law and Order Review Meeting in Kolkata
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting in Kolkata to review West Bengal's law and order situation, issuing directives on women safety, internal security, police modernization, and border encroachments. The meeting comes amid ongoing Centre-state tensions over law and order issues.
Background
West Bengal has faced challenges including political violence, crimes against women, left-wing extremism in some districts, and border security concerns. The meeting aimed to strengthen coordination between central and state agencies.
Key facts
Amit Shah chaired the meeting in Kolkata with West Bengal CM, Chief Secretary, and senior officials from MHA and state government.
Directed launch of 'Mahila Outreach Programme' for rural women safety, with regular dialogue and empowerment.
Emphasized formation of a Special Investigation Agency (SIA) in the state on lines of ANTF, ATS, and NIA to strengthen internal security.
Decided that all terrorism and UAPA cases related to the state will be reviewed by NIA.
Ordered removal of illegal encroachments on government land in border areas.
Assured adequate budgetary support for modernization of state police and improvement of service delivery.
Decided to convert one-third of security camps in former LWE-affected areas into public service centers.
Directed capacity building in cybersecurity, regular NCORD meetings against narcotics, and a comprehensive flood management plan for Kolkata.
Police cadre review to increase strength to national average, rationalize police districts, fill vacancies, reduce reliance on civic volunteers, and prioritize constable recruitment.
Prelims pointers
- ANTF: Anti-Narcotics Task Force
- ATS: Anti-Terrorist Squad
- NIA: National Investigation Agency
- SIA: Special Investigation Agency
- UAPA: Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
- NCORD: Narco Coordination Centre
- LWE: Left Wing Extremism
- MHA: Ministry of Home Affairs
Mains angles
- GS2 Polity: Centre-State relations in law and order - cooperative federalism vs. central intervention.
- GS3 Internal Security: Police reforms, modernization, and challenges in West Bengal.
- GS2 Governance: Women safety initiatives and outreach programs in rural areas.
- GS3 Security: Border management and illegal encroachments.
- GS3 Internal Security: Left Wing Extremism rehabilitation and conversion of security camps.
- GS3 Disaster Management: Flood management planning for Kolkata.