NIA to set up new branches in Chennai, Ranchi, Imphal and Bengaluru -

New Delhi: The Home Ministry has sanctioned opening of National Investigation Agency (NIA) offices in Chennai, Ranchi and Imphal. It is reported that given the increasing terrorist activities, one more office will be opened, also in Bengaluru. This will help the NIA in the investigation into terrorist activities in Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Manipur and Karnataka. Currently, NIA headquartered in New Delhi has its branch offices in Mumbai, Guwahati, Jammu, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Kochi, Lucknow, Raipur and Chandigarh.

Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, sanctioned opening three additional offices of NIA in Chennai, Ranchi and Imphal, during the meeting with senior officials of the home ministry. NIA will become stronger and more efficient with these additional offices.

In 2008, the union government felt the necessity of a central investigation agency, following the Mumbai terrorist attack. Therefore, NIA was established. NIA is responsible for the implementation of Counter-terrorism laws. The NIA does not require any sanction from the state governments, to investigate matters related to terrorism. The agency came into existence following the passing of the ‘National Investigation Agency bill 2008’ by the Indian parliament.

Thereafter, the NIA network was expanded steadily. Currently, there are nine operational branches of the NIA, in the country. Besides, the special task groups have also been formed in the New Delhi headquarters. NIA was established to investigate incidents of terror attacks, terrorism and funding for the other crimes linked to terrorism. Whereas, leaving aside terrorism, CBI looks after the issues such as crime of corruption, economic offences and serious and organized crime.