A two-day “Chintan Shivir” of state home ministers will begin on Thursday in Haryana’s Surajkund and be presided over by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss India’s internal security.
In accordance with the “Panch Pran” stated by the Prime Minister in his Independence Day speech, the two-day event will take place on October 27 and October 28 to bring a national perspective to policy formation on issues relating to internal security. According to a government release, the Shivir will increase planning and cooperation between different stakeholders at the federal and state levels in the spirit of cooperative federalism.
“The Shivir will deliberate on issues like modernization of police forces, cybercrime management, increased use of IT in the criminal justice system, land border management, coastal security, women’s safety, drug trafficking, among others.”
The presence of Home Secretaries, Director Generals of Police (DGPs) of the states, Director Generals of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and Director Generals of Central Police Organizations (CPOs) at this event is “first-ever,” according to government officials.
On October 28, in the morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also give a video address to the Chintan Shivir of state home ministers.
The Union Home Ministry circulated an invitation letter to various Chief Ministers of the states, who are in charge of the Home Ministries, on September 30. These Chief Ministers are expected to attend the event as well.
A similar invitation was also addressed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is also in charge of the state’s Home Ministry. It was unclear whether anyone from West Bengal would attend the Chintan Shivir, though.
According to sources familiar with the initiative, the meeting’s main focus would be the nation’s internal security, and it would cover a wide range of topics, including the modernization of the police force, the dangers posed by drug cartels, the readiness for firefighting, and the laws governing enemy property.
The meeting will include seven separate sessions in which the home ministers of the states will give presentations, and the union home minister will speak at both the opening and closing of the meeting.
Due to Shah’s presence at Surajkund for the meeting, the home ministers are also likely to be given one-on-one time slots with him over the course of the two days.
