This decision arises amidst increasing apprehensions regarding terror-related activities within the country. Odisha hosts significant national facilities, including a missile testing range, a naval base and an army air defense center, as well as important religious sites
OdishaPlus Bureau
To enhance its counter-terrorism capabilities, the Odisha government has declared the establishment of the state’s inaugural National Investigation Agency (NIA) police station in the capital city. This newly established station will be situated at the regional telecom training center near Vani Vihar and will have jurisdiction across the entire state, facilitating quicker and more efficient investigations of scheduled offenses under the NIA Act of 2008, according to sources.
A notification released by the Home Department on Saturday indicated, ‘By the powers granted under section 2(1)(u) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the state government hereby designates the NIA office as a police station for the entire state of Odisha concerning the investigation of scheduled offenses under the NIA Act.’ This decision arises amidst increasing apprehensions regarding terror-related activities within the country. Odisha hosts significant national facilities, including a missile testing range, a naval base, and an army air defense center, as well as important religious sites such as the Lord Jagannath temple.
The state has been a target for terrorist organizations like the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). According to sources, while the National Investigation Agency (NIA) previously maintained a small office in the city, it was insufficiently staffed to conduct thorough investigations. In the event of a significant terrorist incident or related occurrences, officials were required to be dispatched from Delhi or other locations to carry out the investigations.
An official acquainted with the situation indicated that the existing method of managing terrorism cases frequently results in investigative delays. ‘When a terrorism-related event occurs, the case is initially recorded by the local police and subsequently forwarded to the NIA, which hinders the investigation process.
The establishment of a new police station will allow such cases to be registered directly with the NIA, facilitating prompt initiation of investigations,’ he clarified. Sources also mentioned that the state government is expected to assign several police officers to the NIA, which is currently understaffed. Consequently, Odisha will join a select number of states that possess a fully operational NIA police station.
Security professionals have praised the initiative, describing it as a timely measure given the state’s susceptibility due to its critical infrastructure. In 2015, an operative of AQIS named Abdul Rehman was apprehended in the Salipur region of Cuttack district for allegedly radicalizing young individuals for terrorist activities.
The following year, five members of SIMI, who had escaped from a prison in Madhya Pradesh, were captured in Rourkela city. Additionally, four terror suspects managed to escape from a hotel in the capital city before a police raid a few years ago. Furthermore, several espionage incidents have been reported in the state recently.
