Steno running Anti-Terrorist Cell

Bangalore: Fifteen years after it was first set up, a full-fledged Anti-Terrorist Cell (ATC) in the State still remains a dream.

Officials say the existing ATC is a “toothless agency”. As of May 31, 2009, the ATC had only two employees. Inspector-General of Police (ATC) M.K. Nagaraj retired from service on May 31. Now, the ATC is functioning with only one employee, a stenographer.

The State has seen a wave of terror-related attacks in the recent past and is now faced with a situation where the ATC steno has to single-handedly deal with such activities.

The ATC comes under the Internal Security Wing (ISW) of the Police Department. It is not authorised to register or investigate a case. It was set up to gather intelligence and share it with the officials concerned. The ATC is situated on the premises of the office of the Director-General and Inspector-General of Police on Nrupatunga Road here.

The ATC has no building, men and equipment of its own. Nothing has been done to upgrade the cell. It needs infrastructure and authority to register and investigate cases, says an ISW official.

Proposals sent

Demanding more powers for the ATC, [its retired IGP] Mr. Nagaraj had drafted several proposals which were sent to the Home Ministry. But nothing has come of it. “ATC should be declared a police station so that it can register and investigate cases,” Mr. Nagaraj told The Hindu.

Almost all States have their own full-fledged ATCs, he said.

Sanctioned

Additional Director-General of Police, Internal Security, Kempaiah, said: “The State Government has sanctioned Rs. 4.6 crore and steps will taken to strengthen the ATC and intelligence.”