NIA to have more staff,new offices in 3 cities

Established in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks,the National Investigation Agency is all set to expand.

Established in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks,the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is all set to expand,more than doubling its strength and opening three new offices.

With a proposal submitted by the Union Home Ministry being approved by the Cabinet,the agency,entrusted with cases related to terror,will see its strength go up from existing 380 to nearly 850. Besides,it will have three new offices in Lucknow,Kochi and Mumbai.

We have got the sanction for new posts. We have also received approval for opening three new offices in Lucknow,Kochi and Mumbai, said a Home Ministry official.

Story continues below this ad

The process to recruit new personnel both direct recruits as well as those on deputations will be started soon.

The need for opening offices in the three cities was felt as Uttar Pradesh is being used by terrorists to infiltrate from Nepal,and the states porous border with Nepal is also being used for smuggling fake Indian currency notes. Mumbai,being a commercial capital of the country,has often been made a terror target while Kerala is being used by some terror groups as a recruitment ground for overground workers.

Currently,the NIA has one Director General,one Special Director General,two Inspector Generals,eight Deputy Inspector Generals and 14 SPs. The new sanctioned posts include IGs,DIGs and SPs.

At present,the agency has its headquarters in New Delhi and two branch offices in Guwahati and Hyderabad and a sub-office in Mumbai.

Story continues below this ad

The agency is currently handling 28 cases,including the September 7 Delhi High Court blast,David Coleman Headley case,the 2006 and 2007 blasts in Malegaon,2007 blast in Ajmer Sharif Dargah,and the Samjhauta Express blast case.

Disquiet in film board: ‘Censorship raj’, no meeting in 6 years, no reports, term lapsed

3 hr ago

A controversial decision-making process has set off divisions within the CBFC, and cast a long regulatory shadow on the Indian film industry as it aspires to be a global player . The Indian Express spoke to several top filmmakers and board members to find that a not-so-silent storm is brewing within the fraternity — and inside the CBFC, too — over what many call a “one-man show”.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS