NIA to set up office in Chennai; receives MHA clearance; nod from FM awaited

COIMBATORE: The ministry of home affairs (MHA) has given the nod to set up a unit of the National Investigation Agency in Chennai and the file is pending before the Ministry of Finance for clearance. Once the file is cleared, the unit of the NIA, the primary agency to combat terror, will be set up in Chennai and an officer in the rank of Superintendent of Police will head the unit.
The NIA is also expected to take over the case relating to the killing of a police officer near Kanyakumari recently.Of late, the NIA has searched several parts of Tamil Nadu, mostly in Coimbatore, arrested several men, and even claimed to have busted a state-based IS module. NIA officials from Kochi are handling the cases reported from TN.
“The MHA had given its nod to set up the NIA unit in Chennai. An SP and more than 20 officials will be appointed as part of the city team. An office building for the NIA will be established in the city. The file is pending before the Ministry of Finance for approval," said an NIA source.
Few days ago, a special sub-Inspector of police Y Wilson was shot dead by two IS suspects at Kaliyakkavilai in Kanyakumari district. "The district police registered a case under IPC section 302 (for murder) and the Arms Act. If the police register the case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), then can we take over for further investigation. But, we are closely monitoring the case," said the source.