Orissa CM Patnaik reiterates opposition to setting up of NCTC

Bhubaneshwar, Feb 29 (ANI): Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has reiterated his opposition to the Central Government's creation of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).

"We are the democratically elected custodians of all the states of India and some of us non-Congress chief ministers have objected to the NCTC matter urgently because we realised how important it is for the security of our nation and also our concern of the horrors of terrorism and extremism in India. We would like the central government to deal with it most urgently and seriously," Patnaik told media here.

Several state governments, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which is the second largest in the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government (19 Members of Parliament), joined the chorus against what is being seen as an attempt to infringe upon state's rights.

The main task of the NCTC would be to ensure that the wide variety of security organizations 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)