सीएम-ई-वृत्तसेवा

NCTC—Pressing National Need Of The Hour

                                                                        --Prithviraj Chavan

New Delhi, May 5:  Concerted Action against Terrorism is the pressing National need of the hour.  The issue at stake is not only the ‘Public Order’ but the ‘Defence of the Country’ as well, said Maharashtra Chief Minister, Prithviraj Chavan.  He was speaking at the Conference of Chief Ministers on National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), at Vigyan Bhavan, here today.

           Speaking at the Conference, Chavan said that Terrorism defies the State boundaries and national frontiers.   Maharashtra, having a long coastline of 720 km, needs special measures to check terrorists’ infiltration through sea route.  In order to paralyze and hamper country’s economy, terrorists attack Mumbai and other places in Maharashtra.  Two districts in the state are severely affected by Left Wing Extremism.  Maharashtra, therefore, is more concerned about the internal security issues and therefore supports the proposed National Counter Terrorism Centre.  An Active and meaningful cooperation between the Centre and the States on intelligence is needed to strengthen India’s counter terrorism strategy, urged Chavan.

              The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, chaired the Conference.  Sharing the dais wereUnion Defence Minister, A.K.Antony, Union Home Minister, P.Chidambaram, MoS for PMO, V.Narayansamy and Union MoS for Home, M.Ramachandran and Jitendra Singh.  All States Chief Ministers were present at the Conference.  State Home Minister, R.R.Patil, Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Amitabh Rajan and Principal Secretary to CM, A.K.Jain also attended the Conference.

              Referring to the evolutionary nature of NCTC, Chavan informed that, the concept originated in the recommendations of the Group of Ministers on 6.12.2001, for establishment of Multi Agency Centre, Joint Task Force on Intelligence and Inter State Intelligence support team under the IB.  The Parliament has carried out amendments in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in 2008 with a view to enable the GoI to establish the Designated Authority and empower it. Such Legislative measures have been upheld by the Supreme Court of India.  The NCTC has now been proposed in the wake of the recommendations of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission. 

              Shri Chavan also mentioned that many developed and democratic countries like the USA, UK, Japan and Germany have also set up institutions to counter terrorism.  India also needs an effective counter terrorism mechanism. 

              Speaking on SOP, Chavan said that, the provisions of Standing Council and Focus Group provide adequate safeguards to allay the fears expressed by a few states.  In the normal course, arrest, search or seizure shall be carried out by ATS or other State Police Units, however, in exceptional circumstances needing immediate action, the powers of the Operations Division of the NCTC, may be invoked.  Appealing one and all, Chavan called for the cooperation of all the parties and appealed to rise above party considerations to support the initiative for establishing the anti-terror body. 

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