Bhubaneswar, 21 July (H.S.): A high-level meeting of the Eastern Regional Police Coordination Committee (ERPCC) was convened in Bhubaneswar on Monday under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, aimed at enhancing inter-state coordination to combat organised crime, Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), and emerging security challenges.
The meeting was chaired by Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Shri Yogesh Bahadur Khurania and attended by the DGPs of Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. Senior officials from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Central Police Organisations (CPOs), and other key agencies also participated.
Welcoming the delegates, DGP Khurania expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Home Affairs for entrusting Odisha with hosting the significant regional forum. He highlighted the importance of such collaborative platforms in strengthening operational synergy, fostering mutual trust, and reinforcing India’s internal security framework.
In his inaugural address, Khurania emphasized that modern security threats—including organised crime, cybercrime, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, and Left-Wing Extremism—transcend geographical boundaries and require a coordinated, technology-driven, and intelligence-based response. He underlined that no state can effectively tackle these challenges in isolation and stressed the need for continuous intelligence sharing, seamless information exchange, and adoption of advanced technologies.
The day-long deliberations focused on several key areas of strategic importance. Discussions included monitoring and rehabilitation of surrendered Left-Wing extremists, coordinated efforts to curb inter-state narcotics trafficking, strengthening cybercrime response through real-time intelligence sharing, and expediting the transfer and investigation of Zero FIRs. Participants also deliberated on enhancing railway security and developing a unified approach to address illegal infiltration.
The states further discussed intensifying joint operations against inter-state criminal networks, improving policing in border areas, and promoting technology-enabled, intelligence-led policing mechanisms.
Recognising the need for sustained collaboration, all participating states unanimously agreed to institutionalise regular coordination meetings. These will serve as platforms to review progress, exchange best practices, and address emerging security challenges while strengthening cooperation between state and central agencies.
Concluding the session, DGP Khurania expressed confidence that the outcomes of the meeting would significantly boost inter-state coordination, enhance law enforcement capabilities, and contribute to strengthening national security across eastern India.
Senior officials present at the meeting included DGP, CID-CB Shri Vinaytosh Mishra, Director Intelligence Shri R. P. Koche, ADGP (ANO) Shri Sanjeeb Panda, ADGP (Railways & Coastal Security) Shri Arun Bothra, and ADGP (Headquarters) Shri Prateek Mohanty, along with other senior officers from participating states and central agencies.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
