NCTC row: Centre should take states into confidence, says Patnaik

New Delhi, Apr 16 (ANI): Orissa Chief Minister on Monday said the Centre should take the various state governments into confidence as they decide to set up the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).

"About the NCTC (National Counter Terrorism Centre), all of you know, all of us know, this is a matter of urgent public importance as it affects the security of our own country, of India," said Patnaik.

"I hope that this issue about the federal rights of all the states of our country, which certainly includes Orissa as well, will be done, these new acts that the union government, the central government brings out. They must be done in consultation with the state governments," he added.

Non-Congress Chief Ministers including UPA ally Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee have raised objections to the provisions in the NCTC, contending that it will upset the federal structure and encroach on the powers of the states.

Patnaik further said his government was monitoring the process for the release of MLA Jhina Hikaka.

"About the young MLA, our young tribal MLA in Orissa, Jhina Hikaka, developments relating to his abduction are being constantly monitored by the government of Orissa by me too naturally from here, from Delhi. And I can assure you that the government of Orissa will leave no stone unturned to secure the release of our young tribal MLA, Jhina Hikaka who is in the hands of the Maoists," he affirmed.

The Maoists have extended the deadline for Hikaka's release till Wednesday.he Maoists had earlier demanded the release of 30 prisoners to free Hikaka, including the name of Chenda Bhusanam alias Ghasi, accused of killing more than 55 police personnel.

Hikaka was kidnapped near Toyaput after a large group of armed men stopped him as he was being driven through a hilly area some 500 kilometres away from Bhubaneswar on March 24. (ANI)