Chidambaram stoops for NCTC birth

Acting on prime minister Manmohan Singh’s advice, Home Minister P Chidambaram on Friday assured chief ministers of 10 states, of the Centre’s intention of working with them to meet the challenge of terrorism.

He also used the opportunity to claim how the proposed National Counter Terrorism Centre was legal and did not infringe on the rights of the states but would work in tandem with their police.

As reported by DNA earlier, he reassured them that before taking the next step, the home secretary will discuss in detail the scope and functions of the NCTC with all the DGPs and heads of anti-terrorist organisations and forces of states.

“I have been asked by the PM to address concerns expressed by you and to consult you on this matter which, I am sure, you will agree is a matter of national importance and should be kept above parties and politics,” wrote Chidambaram.

Citing past reference of working together to amend the Unlawful Activities Prevention (UAP) Act in 2004 and 2008, Chidamabram said, “countering terrorism, therefore, is a shared repsonsibilty.”

To allay fears of NCTC having overriding powers, Chidambaram, in an annexed note, explained how having powers under relevant sections of UAP Act would not usurp powers of the police as feared by chief ministers, but would keep the police in loop in the fight in the fight against terrorism.

“The powers conferred under section 43A must be read with the duty under section 43B to produce the person or article without unnecessary delay before the nearest police station and the SHO will take further action in accordance with the provisions of the CrPC. It may be noted that the powers under section 2(e) and section 43A are available to both the central government and the state governments.”