Karnataka opposes creation of anti-terror centre

New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda Monday opposed the creation of a National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), claiming that it encroaches upon the federal nature of India and erodes the powers of the states.

"We must not forget that the police and law and order are the state subjects under our constitution. Any direct entry into those areas by the union government through such devices as NCTC would encroach into the very federal arrangements and erode the powers of the states," he told the chief ministers' meeting on internal security, inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here.

Gowda, who heads the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Karnataka, said: "Past experience seems to indicate the occasional misuse of criminal laws and central police establishments as well as paramilitary forces for political gains against the opposition ruled states".

"There is no reason to believe that the proposed arrangement in NCTC will be an exception to it," he said.

Gowda referred to the Maoist threat in several parts of the country, including Karnataka, and sought the central government's support in the form of additional paramilitary forces, additional funding and relaxation in the implementation of forest and environmental laws in the affected areas.

He said Karnataka was "not getting any kind of central assistance" to tackle the Maoist menace.

Gowda also sought cooperation of the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) to fight cyber crime, particularly to tackle "terrorist related internet telephony, and satellite communications with the terrorist organisations outside the country".