On lines of NIA, J&K forms SIA to probe terror cases

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 2

The Jammu & Kashmir administration has formed the State Investigation Agency (SIA) within the police establishment on the lines of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for speedy investigation and prosecution in terror-related cases, officials said.

Jail official, school principal sacked

The J&K administration sacked a deputy superintendent of jails and a government school principal in south Kashmir for alleged terror links, officials said on Tuesday. 

The J&K Home Department in an order issued on Monday said the SIA, headed by a director, would be mandated to probe terror offences and cases registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The State Investigation Agency will coordinate with the NIA and other central agencies, and take all measures for speedy and effective investigation and prosecution in terrorism-related cases, said the officials, quoting the order.

Both the counterintelligence unit of J&K and the State Investigation Agency will be under the CID department of the police, the officials said, adding that the CID chief will be the ex officio director of the SIA.

According to the order, the in-charge of a police station will intimate the SIA immediately upon the registration of a terror-related case.