Orissa CM Patnaik seeks support of other states to oppose anti-militancy body

Bhubaneshwar, Feb 16 (ANI): A day after seeking the intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh into 'infringement' of rights of states by the Centre, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched a campaign against the power of anti-militancy agency -National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), which the government is slated to set it up by March 1.

Reacting strongly to Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's decision to set up the NCTC, Patnaik said the move was undemocratic and violating the central structure of our constitution.

Patnaik further said that there is a need for the third front to counter the central government, regarding which he has spoken to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whose Trinamool Congress party is the biggest ally in the UPA government.

He also apprised former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of the Congress-led UPA government's attempt to infringe the rights of the states and requested the Telugu Desam Party leader to take action on this matter.

Patnaik has also requested Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to oppose such a unilateral and authoritarian move that infringes the legitimate jurisdiction of the states.

He also accused UPA of bypassing the principle of federalism in our nation.

Patnaik's efforts to unite non-Congress chief ministers and leaders two years ahead of the general election is viewed as a move to form a new front without Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Left parties.

Explaining the reason as to why he spoke to the chief ministers of states, Patnaik said the UPA's move to empower the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) was suspicious, peculiar and draconian.

"This is highly suspicious and a peculiar move. This is taking advantage of the states right sand ignoring them. I find this that this UPA is often falling into this habit of by-passing the democratic right of federalism in our nation," said Patnaik.

The main task of the NCTC would be to ensure that the wide variety of security organisations in the country work in tandem, at least on issues related to terrorism.

It will also have the power to seek information, including documents, reports, transcripts, and cyber information from any agency, including from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Investigation Agency, National Technical Research Organization, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and all seven central armed police forces including the National Security Guard (NSG).

The body, which will function under the Intelligence Bureau, has been given its own operational wing with powers to arrest and conduct searches under Section 43A of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. (ANI)