PM to open chief ministers' meet on security April 16

New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) Police reforms, upgrading intelligence gathering system and strengthening the counter-terrorism mechanism in the country will top the agenda of the annual chief ministers' conference to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday.

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram will address the day-long Conference of Chief Ministers which will review the internal security situation in the country, said an official statement Saturday.

Though this is being branded as the annual meeting of the chief ministers on the internal security situation, there are bound to be references to the controversial proposal of setting up a National Counter Terrorism Centre in the country.

United Progressive Alliance partner Trinamool Congress, headed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is one of the most vocal opponents of the proposal which has miffed several opposition ruled states including Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Odisha.

They say the proposed anti-terror intelligence hub is an attack on federalism.

However, Chidambaram would hold a stand-alone meeting on the NCTC with the chief ministers May 5.

According to officials, police reforms and capacity-building with focus on ongoing and new initiatives will be high on the agenda of the meeting.

Other issues to be deliberated upon include strengthening of counter-terrorism capabilities and intelligence apparatus, Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS), issues related to Left Wing Extremism, border management, coastal security and Centre-State relations.