The home ministry is collaborating with Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
Source
dh
Date
2005-06-11
Information
KANPUR: The ome ministry is collaborating with Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K) to set up Indias first internal security centre – which will be modelled on the US department for homeland security. The nodal body will help secure the nation from terror strikes like 9/11 or Parliament attack.
IIT-K has submitted the blueprint to the home ministry and the project was finalised after a meeting between Union minister of state for home Sriprakash Jaiswal and IIT-K director S.G. Dhande.
Following September 11, the US formed the department of homeland security to consolidate intelligence agencies and unify fragmented federal bodies into a single unit to protect America from terrorism. The Kanpur unit will be based on the same concept.
Prof Phalguni Gupta, who drafted the project, said homeland security is a concerted effort to prevent terror assaults, reduce vulnerability to attacks and minimise damage and recovery time after a strike. Approach to homeland security is based on principles of shared responsibility with the legislature, central and state agencies, private sector and people of the country, he said.
Gupta said the concept focused on six key areas: intelligence and warning; border and transportation security; domestic counter-terrorism; protecting critical infrastructure; defence against catastrophic threats and preparedness against modern terror operatives. The centre would also help secure cyberspace and infrastructure vital to public health, safety, political institutions, and economy, he added.
