Tripura CM Sarkar slams proposal to set up NCTC

New Delhi, Apr 16 (ANI): Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Monday lashed out at the proposal to set up the NCTC (National Counter Terrorism Centre), saying the Central Government was trying to encroach upon the rights of the states.

"NCTC, we are opposing not all, we are opposing because it is going to cross the rights of the state government. Thus, it is going to actually attack the federal structure of our country. This BSF (Border Security Force) amendment that also contains the same thing, BSF actually is going to take away the responsibilities of police, which is the domain of the state government," said Sarkar.

"That's why we have said that this should not be discussed today; don't put pressure for taking any decision from this meeting. This may also be deferred for discussion on 5th (May 5)," he added.

Sarkar further said the chief ministers of all states are concerned about the internal security of the country.

"Meeting is going on; it has not yet been completed, concluded. Issues are many, main thing actually is being discussed is internal security. Like me all other Chief Ministers are very much concerned about the internal security," said Sarkar.

"I can say about the northeastern region, yes we have been facing this problem for more than 3 decades. So, one of the basic reasons of extremist problem in northeastern region is underdevelopment, backwardness," he added.

The main task of the NCTC would be to ensure that a wide variety of security organizations in the country work in tandem, at least on issues related to terrorism.

It will also have the power to seek information, including documents, reports, transcripts, and cyber information from any agency, including from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Investigation Agency, National Technical Research Organization, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and all seven central armed police forces including the National Security Guard (NSG).

The body, which will function under the Intelligence Bureau, would be given its own operational wing with powers to arrest and conduct searches under Section 43A of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. (ANI)