Making
a strong pitch for developing an anti-terror hub, Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh on Saturday said the establishment of the NCTC is not a
State issue compared to the Centre but work as a vehicle of the country
combined effort to suppress terrorism. Stressing that NCTC will increasecounter-terrorism
capabilities of the state and not replace them, Singh asked state
governments to work at the Centre in dealing with terrorism.
"Terrorism is now one of the most potent threat to our national security. Can be no disagreement over the placement of an effective counter terrorism regime with excellent gear and response system both at national level and state level, "The Prime Minister said in his acceptance speech at a conference of chief ministers called to discuss NCTC.
The special meeting was called after 12 prime ministers against the development of NCTC.
Singh said, "The establishment of the NCTC is not a state issue and compared the Centre's main objective behind setting up the NCTC is to coordinate counter-terrorism efforts around the country as the Intelligence Bureau is doing right now.
"NCTC should be a vehicle of our joint efforts to reach the shared goal of eradicating militancy a curbing terrorism," he said.
Singh said the history of NCTC arising from the Group of Ministers and the Administrative Reform Commission, commencing from the lessons learned in Kargil.
"It is our belief that NCTC, its design and operation aspects, increase counter-terrorism capabilities of the state and not replace them," he said.
He also drew attention of the chief minister to Standard operating Procedures circulated by the Union home ministry said the draft reflects the provisions of the details for the Centre-State coordination in both organizations to set up the NCTC and its proposed powers and functions.
"But for NCTC function properly and effectively, it is important that we have a fairly broad consensus on its powers and functions. We want the state government to us in this initiative, which we believe will strengthen our counter-terrorism efforts, "Singh said, adding the Centre is open to the suggestion of the prime minister.
Promotes the development of NCTC meeting, the Prime Minister said the NCTC mechanism would give each state agency an ability to see the bigger picture of the terrorist threat and therefore enhance their counter terrorism capability and access to resources.
Fears allaying some of the chief minister about the federal revenue structure, the Prime Minister stressed that the government's intention is in no way to affect the distribution of power between states and Union that the Constitution provides.
He said terrorism is now one of the most potent threat to national security. "There can be no disagreement on putting in place an effective regime to counter terrorism mechanisms and efficient response systems both at the national level and State level.
"No state or the Centre can fulfill this task alone. The closest cooperation and coordination is, therefore, necessary to meet the threats that emanate from within and outside our borders," said the Prime Minister .
He said it was the "responsibility of the Centre to give form and shape into a cohesive national strategy and approach based on information gathered throughout the world and from all states of our Union.
"On their part, the state should use their expertise, knowledge and machinery to assure their own territories and work in coordination with the Centre and other States," the Prime Minister said.
Singh said while since Mumbai attacks in November 2008, had a much closer coordination between the state and central agencies that resulted in remarkable success, however, much remains to do.
"In total there is broad agreement on the strategy and steps that we should adopt to counter terrorism in all different sizes in India, including cross-border terrorism, Left wing extremism, terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgency in North-East and religion-based terrorism, "he said.
Earlier this week, the home minister said the two draft SOPs for operating the NCTC is circulated in the state and they would diminish the apprehensions of many prime ministers expressed their concerns.
The home ministry sent the draft SOPs power list and the function of standing Council's anti-terror hub, which will have representatives of all state governments and the Centre.
The Director Generals of Police Chiefs of ATS or all of the state has become a member of the Standing Council of the NCTC and before any anti-terror operations are conducted, the NCTC will take police officers trust the state concerned.
The Centre also explained about the need for provisions NCTC and various unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, particularly 43 (A) and 43 (B) used by the NCTC.
The two sections raised the hackles of some states.
The UA (P) Act provision 43 (a) empowers the police to arrest and search, while 43 (B) says any officer arresting a person under section 43 (A) should let him the place for such arrest and every person arrested and will be able to forward the articles seized under section 43 (A) without unnecessary delay to the officer in charge of the nearest police station.
These SOPs are also mentioned about the use of powers under sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the office memorandum was issued to accompany the list, functions, powers and duties of the NCTC.
Section 3.1 states the Director of the NCTC is defined as the designated authority under section 2 (e) of unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Section 3.2 says that the officials of the NCTC operations division has the power to arrest and the power to search under section 43A of the UA (P) A.
On the home ministry also circulated the agenda papers for May 5 special meeting convened where it will explain the beginning, the purpose, structure and powers of the proposed NCTC.
The objective papers say the standing Council will meet more frequently if required and can also meet via video conference.
The Standing Council should ensure that NCTC is the sole and effective point of control and coordination of all counter terrorism measures.
"Terrorism is now one of the most potent threat to our national security. Can be no disagreement over the placement of an effective counter terrorism regime with excellent gear and response system both at national level and state level, "The Prime Minister said in his acceptance speech at a conference of chief ministers called to discuss NCTC.
The special meeting was called after 12 prime ministers against the development of NCTC.
Singh said, "The establishment of the NCTC is not a state issue and compared the Centre's main objective behind setting up the NCTC is to coordinate counter-terrorism efforts around the country as the Intelligence Bureau is doing right now.
"NCTC should be a vehicle of our joint efforts to reach the shared goal of eradicating militancy a curbing terrorism," he said.
Singh said the history of NCTC arising from the Group of Ministers and the Administrative Reform Commission, commencing from the lessons learned in Kargil.
"It is our belief that NCTC, its design and operation aspects, increase counter-terrorism capabilities of the state and not replace them," he said.
He also drew attention of the chief minister to Standard operating Procedures circulated by the Union home ministry said the draft reflects the provisions of the details for the Centre-State coordination in both organizations to set up the NCTC and its proposed powers and functions.
"But for NCTC function properly and effectively, it is important that we have a fairly broad consensus on its powers and functions. We want the state government to us in this initiative, which we believe will strengthen our counter-terrorism efforts, "Singh said, adding the Centre is open to the suggestion of the prime minister.
Promotes the development of NCTC meeting, the Prime Minister said the NCTC mechanism would give each state agency an ability to see the bigger picture of the terrorist threat and therefore enhance their counter terrorism capability and access to resources.
Fears allaying some of the chief minister about the federal revenue structure, the Prime Minister stressed that the government's intention is in no way to affect the distribution of power between states and Union that the Constitution provides.
He said terrorism is now one of the most potent threat to national security. "There can be no disagreement on putting in place an effective regime to counter terrorism mechanisms and efficient response systems both at the national level and State level.
"No state or the Centre can fulfill this task alone. The closest cooperation and coordination is, therefore, necessary to meet the threats that emanate from within and outside our borders," said the Prime Minister .
He said it was the "responsibility of the Centre to give form and shape into a cohesive national strategy and approach based on information gathered throughout the world and from all states of our Union.
"On their part, the state should use their expertise, knowledge and machinery to assure their own territories and work in coordination with the Centre and other States," the Prime Minister said.
Singh said while since Mumbai attacks in November 2008, had a much closer coordination between the state and central agencies that resulted in remarkable success, however, much remains to do.
"In total there is broad agreement on the strategy and steps that we should adopt to counter terrorism in all different sizes in India, including cross-border terrorism, Left wing extremism, terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgency in North-East and religion-based terrorism, "he said.
Earlier this week, the home minister said the two draft SOPs for operating the NCTC is circulated in the state and they would diminish the apprehensions of many prime ministers expressed their concerns.
The home ministry sent the draft SOPs power list and the function of standing Council's anti-terror hub, which will have representatives of all state governments and the Centre.
The Director Generals of Police Chiefs of ATS or all of the state has become a member of the Standing Council of the NCTC and before any anti-terror operations are conducted, the NCTC will take police officers trust the state concerned.
The Centre also explained about the need for provisions NCTC and various unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, particularly 43 (A) and 43 (B) used by the NCTC.
The two sections raised the hackles of some states.
The UA (P) Act provision 43 (a) empowers the police to arrest and search, while 43 (B) says any officer arresting a person under section 43 (A) should let him the place for such arrest and every person arrested and will be able to forward the articles seized under section 43 (A) without unnecessary delay to the officer in charge of the nearest police station.
These SOPs are also mentioned about the use of powers under sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the office memorandum was issued to accompany the list, functions, powers and duties of the NCTC.
Section 3.1 states the Director of the NCTC is defined as the designated authority under section 2 (e) of unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Section 3.2 says that the officials of the NCTC operations division has the power to arrest and the power to search under section 43A of the UA (P) A.
On the home ministry also circulated the agenda papers for May 5 special meeting convened where it will explain the beginning, the purpose, structure and powers of the proposed NCTC.
The objective papers say the standing Council will meet more frequently if required and can also meet via video conference.
The Standing Council should ensure that NCTC is the sole and effective point of control and coordination of all counter terrorism measures.
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