Maoists oppose NCTC, call for shutdown on May 16

New Delhi, May 12(ANI): Experts have criticised the Maoists' call for nationwide shutdown on May 16 to protest the establishment of the proposed National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the continuance of anti-rebel operations and the creation of an army training camp in Chhattisgarh, terming it a part of their "standard rhetoric".

Founding member and Executive Director of the Institute for Conflict Management, Ajai Sahni, said here on Friday that the extremists would oppose every proposal that claims to strengthen the government and added that the opposition to the anti terror instruments like NCTC is part of the "standard rhetoric" perpetrated by the extremists.

"Anything that purports to strengthen the government is bad because their whole purpose is to weaken the state. Now they believe that the NCTC might strengthen the government," Sahni said.

The Centre is working towards building consensus with state governments on the contentious NCTC issue.

Recently, the CPI (Maoist) in a statement had claimed that NCTC could be used against those fighting for self-determination and the right to secession, particularly the Maoists.

Sahni added that the extremists are waging a war against the Indian state. It is a war against democracy, against the rule of law and against freedom, said Sahni. (ANI)