The Union home minister believes it will fill a yawning gap in policing. But CBI director U.S. Misra ( PTI picture) seems to think the whole idea is a big yawn.

The chief of the country’s premier investigative agency dozed off at a conference of police bosses in New Delhi on Wednesday, where Shivraj Patil unfurled his latest plan to tackle crime and militancy.

High fives

The home minister’s plan is simple. Divide up the country into five zones ? north, south, east, west and northeast ? and set up a regional body for each. So that directors-general of police could meet regularly to discuss crime and terror trends and draw up strategies.

As head of a federal agency, Misra probably has little interest in state and regional police bodies.The minister, however, insisted that the zonal bodies are absolutely necessary. Criminals and militants care little for state borders, he told the assembled directors-general and inspectors-general ? at least, those who were awake and listening. Therefore, stepping up co-ordination among states is a must. “I would suggest these bodies meet at least once every quarter,” Patil said.

Maoist headache

The minister was happy that violence was declining in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast, but described the Maoists as a “serious threat”.

“Naxalism feeds on the widespread socio-economic, political and regional inequities, coupled with poverty, unemployment and lack of proper infrastructure,” Patil told the gathering.

“We have to, therefore, accord higher priority to ensure faster, integrated development of Naxalite-affected areas.” This, the minister added, needed to be backed up by firm action from a well-trained and well-equipped police force armed with good intelligence inputs.

Reforms

Patil said his ministry would set up a committee to examine recommendations on police reforms.

“We have taken the important decision to set up a committee to draft a bill for a new police act, which will submit its report within six months. It would be ensured that a Central Police Act legislation is enacted to replace the ancient Act of 1861,” he said. The Prime Minister will address the conference, organised by the Intelligence Bureau, on Thursday.