The Centre will carefully examine and consciously consider the suggestions of Chief ministers on the counter terrorism body and final decision will be taken only there after. Addressing a press conference after the special meeting of the Chief Ministers on the National Counter Terrorism Centre, NCTC in New Delhi today, Home Minister P Chidambaram said Centre will also examine concerns of some Chief Ministers on locating NCTC in Intelligence Bureau -IB and undertaking operations even in exceptional cases.
He said, the decision to locate NCTC in the IB was taken by government on the basis of recommendations of 2001 Group of Ministers. Chidambaram disclosed that many states have supported the anti-terror organisation and some have given qualified support. Three states have, however, rejected the idea outright. But, he said, all were convinced that there is a need of counter terrorism body.
Chidambaram said, government has significantly succeeded in neutralizing terrorist modules with the help of different security agencies, though there were some failure too. He said, to bring the failure to zero there is need of such body and NCTC can fill that gap.
Chidambaram said, he had told the dissenting Chief Ministers that the gaps in fighting terrorism will not be filled in by normal police officers.
Earlier, Inagurating the meeting, the Prime Minister said the National Counter Terrorism Centre, NCTC is not a State versus Centre issue. Dr. Manmohan Singh said terrorism is one of the most potent threat to internal security. NCTC is needed to coordinate counter terrorism measures throughout the country. He said, it is not government's intention to infringe upon States domain. He admitted that for operationalisation of NCTC, it is fairly important to have broad consensus on its powers and functions.
Dr. Singh said, he believes it is the responsibility of the Centre to give form and shape to a cohesive national approach and strategy based on information gathered globally and from all states. He said the States on their part should use their expertise, knowledge and machinery to secure their own territories and work in coordination with the Centre and other States. The Prime Minister said the government remains commited to working with the State governments and open to the suggestions of the Chief Ministers.
Addrsssing the meeting, Home Minister Chidambaram said, NCTC will be an important pillar in new security architecture.
The Home minister pointed out that terrorists do not recognise boundaries between the countries or boundaries between States of a country. Chidambaram said, with India's 7516 km coastline, over fifteen thousand kms of international borders with seven countries and a number of international gateways, the State Anti terror forces would have to necessarily work with Central agencies in the event of threats from sea, air and space.
During the Conference, several non-Congress Chief Ministers have raised objections against the National Counter Terrorism Centre in its present form. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said setting up of institutions like National Counter Terrorism Centre upsets the federal structure of the country and urged for withdrawal of the order on NCTC formation.
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi claimed that the well-defined and constitutionally mandated boundaries of Centre-state relations are being disturbed. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar raised issues related to jurisdiction, accountability and power to investigate are prone to be grossly misused. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh emphasised on the need for a national policy to deal with naxalism and terrorism and said there should be no negotiations in case of a hostage crisis.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa demanded that a Sub-Committee of Chief Ministers be set up to go into the proposed body and till then the proposal should be kept in abeyance.
But, Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithivraj Chavan and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Kiran Kumar Reddy supported the Centre on the NCTC issue.
