Days before the crucial meeting of chief ministers on setting up of a National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), most non-Congress ruling states have demanded the decision be put on hold, arguing such an anti-terrorism organisation was against the federal structure.
The first voice against NCTC was raised by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whose party is part of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Banerjee has demanded the meeting only discuss the NCTC issue.
In a letter to the prime minister, opposing the move, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said the unilateral decision of the home ministry to implement NCTC was unfortunate and the Union government should have consulted all the chief ministers before going forward. “It is indeed unfortunate that without taking into consideration the views and sentiments of the chief ministers, the constitution of NCTC is being implemented. I request the formation of NCTC may first be ordered to be held in abeyance and a separate meeting of chief ministers must be convened only to discuss this matter,” she said.
Coming under attack from all non-Congress chief ministers, the prime minister had put the implementation of NCTC on hold and assured the states any decision would be taken on the issue after the chief ministers meeting on April 16.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is also openly against implementation of NCTC, has raised questions on the arrest of people of minority communities from Bihar. While making a statement in the Bihar assembly, Kumar said he would take up the issue for discussion on April 16. Kumar is upset the Delhi Police has been arresting people from Darbhanga and Madhubani “in the name” of busting terrorist modules of Indian Mujahideen cadre without informing the state government. The Bihar chief minister has assured the state assembly that he would raise these issues at the meeting.