Gogoi backs central anti-terror agency

New Delhi, May 5 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Saturday supported the proposal to set up the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) but emphasised that the central government must take the states into confidence in the fight against terror.

'The central government must take the state governments into confidence in the fight against terrorism. Differences of opinion are bound to be there. But that can be resolved across the table in an amicable manner,' said Gogoi at a chief ministers meeting on the issue here.

'Terrorism is a scourge to society and a great threat to the country's unity and integrity. Every effort must be made to wipe out terrorism,' he said.

The Congress-led state government has been making efforts to combat terrorism since the past 11 years with support from the central government, he said.

The chief minister said the improvement on the law and order front in Assam in last 11 years was the result of close coordination among the army, paramilitary and police under the unified command structure.

Gogoi said that security personnel who misused power during counter insurgency operations must be brought to book.