The State Government is mulling to entrust the Special Task Force (STF) with the work of handling terrorist activities in the State.
The STF led by Arun Bothra as IG is now engaged in investigation of serious crimes and has delivered successful results.
After arrest of suspected terrorist Abdul Rehman, a member of al-Qaeda of Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), from the Jagatpur area, Intelligence experts now feel that there are other terror modules in Kendrapada and Bhadrakh districts.
While there is no dedicated organisation to investigate terrorist activities, experts feel that there would be a special body, similar to the Special Intelligence Wing (SIW) which is looking into Maoist activities, to handle terrorism in the State.
In the recently concluded All India DGP Meet, issue of radicalisation cropped up in a big way, and the Union Government expressed its willingness to control such activities with support of the State Governments. DGP K B Singh and ADG Crime Branch BK Sharma had attended the meet.
Sources said Singh and Sharma briefed Chief Secretary AP Padhi and Home Secretary Asit Tripathy about the deliberations conference.
later, Tripathy held a meeting with top cops on radicalisation and terror modules in which stress was given for creation of a specialized force for handling of terrorist activities.
It may he noted that the State Government had formed a high-power committee way back in 2002 to look into terrorism aspect. However, it did not even meet once. The Home Department is now mulling to restructure the committee, according to sorces.
As handling terrorists and collecting information about their operations is a herculean task, it has been felt the Special Task Force, if empowered to see to the aspect, will yield results.
If strengthened with more forces, the STF can be able to handle terror modules and investigate related activities.
Recently, the State Government sanctioned another 26 posts for the STF above its present strength of 25 personnel.