The state government has strongly objected to the unilateral creation of National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), an anti-terror body, and requested the union government to withdraw its notification.

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Chief minister Narendra Modi said that creation of NCTC without prior consultation of states was an infringement of their powers. He said that powers under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 had been conferred to NCTC without examining the pros and cons of such a step.

"Public order and police are state subjects, and therefore, this move is a terrible blow to our federal structure and democracy," Modi said in a letter to prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

Modi accused the union government of making concerted efforts to inflict irreparable damage to federal structure. "It is unfortunate that these issues have been brought to your notice from time to time, but you have decided to keep silent and not to act. In the process, immense damage is being done to democratic polity and federalism," he said.

CM suggested that the multi agency centre could be part of the IB and it could mandate other agencies to pursue different leads. He added that top priority should be accorded to counter terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism and Naxalism.

"I have been raising the issue of empowering state law enforcement agencies. A legislation like Gujarat Control of Organised Crime Act (GUJCOC Act) has not been approved for last five years, and central government has notified NCTC in a matter of days," he said.

Modi said he had always raised objections against unilateral approach of Centre in dealing with such problems of national importance.