Chidambaram promised to go into the concerns of the states on locating NCTC in the Intelligence Bureau and its operational powers even in exceptional circumstances.
The Centre on Saturday promised to go into the concerns of the states on locating NCTC in the Intelligence Bureau and its operational powers even in exceptional circumstances before it decides to operationalise the counter-terror body.
"We would examine the two issues — why it will be under IB and why it will carry out operations under exceptional circumstances — and the government will take a final decision," Home Minister P Chidambaram told reporters after the day-long conference.
He said he has assured the CMs that all their suggestions would be carefully considered.
"I came to this meeting with an open mind and I leave the meeting with an open mind. We need to examine these suggestions. I firmly believe that we need a counter-terrorism body.
"Whether its is NCTC or some other body, whether it will have these powers or some other powers or functions is a matter that can be debated but certainly we need a counter-terrorism body. I have assured them that all their suggestions would be most carefully and anxiously considered," he said.
Chidambaram said a counter terror body is more than a mere police organisation and it has to mobilise all elements of national power -- police, judicial, diplomatic, financial, all national powers have to be mobilise for counter-terror.
He said at the meeting as expected there was strong support for the counter-terror body by many Chief Ministers, qualified support from many others and outright rejection of the idea by three Chief Ministers.
Chidambaram said all Chief Ministers recognised the need for an NCTC or a similar organisation in on hand and the powers and functions of that organisation.
"The distinction between these two aspects were very clear to every body and I am happy that everyone acknowledged this distinction and maintained this distinction. First the need for a NCTC or an organisation of a similar kind and the other aspects is the power and functions of such an organisation," he said
"I have assured the Chief Ministers that all their suggestions would be carefully considered. No decision has been taken in the meeting, but we will take a final decision," the Home Minister said.
Asked when the government will take a final decision on NCTC, the Home Minister said "how can I say when we will take a final decision".
To a question as to when the Centre will convene the next meeting of the Chief Ministers to take a final decision of NCTC, he said "I don't know. We have just concluded the meeting".
The Home Minister said we are taking note of the fact that many CMs expressed strong support, many CMs expressed qualified support and some CMs outright rejected the idea.
"The principal concerns are really true. One why is it located in the IB and two why does personnel of NCTC or a similar organisation have to undertake even on an exceptional circumstances operations on its own?," Chidambaram said.
He said we have made it clear that normally operations will be conducted only by the ATS of the state police.
"It is only under exceptional circumstances where it is absolutely necessary to take imminent action and its not possible to do a joint operation and operations wing will take action and even then will do it after advance intimation and only when advance intimation is not possible at all, by immediate information," Chidambaram said.
The Home Minister said a counter-terrorism body is more than a mere police organisation. It has to mobilise all elements of national power--police, judicial, diplomatic, financial. All national powers have to be mobilised for counter-terror.
"Counter Terrorism organisations all over the world have been organised in the last 10-12 years. So we need a counter-terror body. Whether this is NCTC or some other organisation it is different matter.
"I appealed to the Chief Ministers to look into this gap which cannot be filed by a normal police organisation," he said.
Chidambaram said the this gap can be filled by a very highly trained highly qualified counter-terrorism body.
"If it is not NCTC it has to be some other body. What body it is, that body has to be give certain powers and functions. So I have requested the CMs to consider the need for a counter-terrorism body," he said.
Chidambaram said he has assured the CMs that all their suggestions would be carefully considered.
"I came to this meeting with an open mind and I leave the meeting with an open mind. We need to examine these suggestions. I firmly believe that we need a counter-terrorism body," he said.
"Whether it is NCTC or some other body, whether it will have these powers or some other powers or functions is a matter that can be debated but certainly we need a counter-terrorism body. I have assured them that all their suggestions would be most carefully and anxiously considered," he said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}