Bhubaneswar: Crackdown on terror financing seems to be the key in combating terrorism, said National Investigating Agency (NIA) Director General (DG) Yogesh Chander Modi while addressing a training programme on ‘Investigation of Terror Related Cases’ for Odisha Police officials in Bhubaneswar.
“We would be sharing our experience especially in investigation of terror funding cases. It is a joint effort of Odisha Police and NIA and we wish that the success which we have achieved in investigation is replicated by local police as well,” said Modi.
Over 100 senior officers in the rank of deputy superintendents and inspectors from across Odisha attended the training programme.
Addressing the gathering, Odisha DGP BK Sharma stated that investigation of terror cases are challenging as well as complicated as in most cases the accused are not arrested as there is no oral or documentary evidence.
“Be it arrest of accused, collection of evidence or filing of chargesheet, all such cases are complicated and the only way to prosecute is through forensic and technical evidence. As NIA is a premier investigating agency, we are trying to collaborate so that officers deal with terror cases in a professional manner,” said Sharma.
Sharma further stated that every year some officers would be sent to NIA for proper training.
It is pertinent to mention here that Odisha Police had successfully investigated several cases of Left Wing Extremism in the State. The case of Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda was also investigated by dedicated officers that led to conviction.
Sharma further informed that NIA in the past had taken up some cases of Left Wing Extremism and its investigation is still continuing. Odisha Police will hand over related and appropriate cases to NIA.
“Odisha Crime Branch’s Economic Offences Wing has successfully investigated bank fraud cases and we will seek whatever help of NIA is required in such cases,” Sharma added.