A team from the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, visited Nagaland and held discussions with State Government officials on integrating various government databases with the national intelligence platform to strengthen information management and national security.
The team, comprising Dr. Saurabh Gupta, Advisor; Raghav Gupta, IRS; and Anup Kumar, Senior Lead, called on the State Nodal Officer, Y Kikheto Sema, IAS, Principal Secretary and Development Commissioner, at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima, on November 12. The team also held a meeting with the Principal Secretary and other State Government officials to discuss the integration of relevant government databases with NATGRID.
In his opening remarks, Sema observed that Nagaland, which was created through a political agreement, had for many years remained largely focused on maintaining law and order. However, under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and with the support of civil society organisations, the State had witnessed lasting peace and was now increasingly focusing on socio-economic development.
Highlighting the importance of maintaining accurate records and regularly updating government databases, Sema pointed to Nagaland’s traditional system of land ownership, which has largely been passed down through generations without written documentation. He said the State had only recently begun recognising the importance of systematically maintaining and updating information through various government portals.
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He informed the NATGRID team that Nagaland had so far submitted databases relating to electricity bills and Inner Line Permit (ILP). However, the water bill database could not be submitted as the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) was still in the process of digitising its records. The remaining databases required by NATGRID would be submitted in due course, he added.
During the meeting, Dr. Saurabh Gupta made a presentation on NATGRID and its role in strengthening national security. He explained that the platform was established to support counter-terrorism efforts and safeguard national security, including internal and economic security, through the identification and integration of databases maintained by various government establishments and other organisations.
He also briefed the participants on two applications, Gandiva and Sudarshan, which are used by various intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
Gupta informed that 117 databases had so far been connected with NATGRID, while 16 States, including three from the Northeast, had already integrated some of their databases with the platform.
The meeting underscored the need for coordinated efforts among concerned State Government departments to identify, digitise and integrate relevant databases with NATGRID.
The initiative is expected to strengthen information management, facilitate inter-departmental coordination and enhance Nagaland’s contribution to the country’s broader national security framework.
