The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has apprehended 29 terrorists associated with international extremist organizations over the last three years, as revealed by Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi in the state Assembly. These arrests, occurring between 2023 and 2026, exposed various alleged anti-national plots, including an Al-Qaeda funding network, an Islamic State Khorasan Province module operating in Porbandar and Surat, and individuals involved in extremist activities from Sri Lanka. Sanghavi mentioned the thwarting of an attack on the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya by one of the accused who was apprehended in Haryana with an active grenade.
Sanghavi informed the House about the government’s firm stance on law and order, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy towards criminals and a commitment to swift justice for citizens. The administration, under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, allocated Rs 14,265 crore for the Home Department and Rs 2,702 crore for the Law and Justice Department to bolster law enforcement and ensure public safety. The state is enhancing its security infrastructure through the ‘BHARAT’ vision, focusing on border and coastal security, technology-driven policing, rapid emergency response, and strengthening manpower and infrastructure.
Advanced surveillance systems are set to be implemented along Gujarat’s 512-kilometre border with Pakistan and its 2,300-kilometre coastline, as per Sanghavi. The government is also prioritizing welfare measures for police personnel, with over 20,400 houses approved for police families in Gujarat, marking a significant step in enhancing their living conditions. Additionally, the state is modernizing policing through projects like ‘Dial 112 Jan Rakshak’ for emergency response and initiatives like the ‘VISWAS’ project to bolster technology-based policing.
