No new law has been introduced to set up NCTC: Congress

New Delhi, Feb.20 (ANI): The Congress party on Monday said that new law had been made to facilitate the establishment of the proposed National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).

Talking to media here, party spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that the NCTC had been instituted under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act of 1967 and not under a new piece of legislation.

"No new law is being passed. No new initiative of the legislative kind has been taken, and therefore, there is no question of any trenching or trespass on state rights. However, it is being made clear repeatedly that we stand united and we should be united in our fight against terror, and if any detail or any further consultation is required, I am sure the central government is ready and willing to do it," Singhvi added.

The Central Government aims to set up the NCTC by March 1. 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 militancy. So far, nine state chief ministers have strongly opposed the proposal, including West Bengal, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat etc. Opposition parties in Congress-ruled states have also objected to the proposal.

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 Organisation, 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)