PM agrees to have separate meeting with chief ministers on NCTC issue

New Delhi, Apr.3 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has reportedly agreed to have a separate meeting with chief ministers on the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) issue.

He has said that there will be no decision on the NCTC before the May 5 meeting.

Chief ministers of several states, including West Bengal, Orissa, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have been urging the central government to take more time to discuss the NCTC issue before going ahead and establishing it.

The chief ministers have said that since the NCTC issue could have an impact on the federal structure of the country, it needs to be treated as a stand alone subject in a separate meeting, rather than being included as one of the ten items to be discussed at the chief ministers' meeting New Delhi on April 16.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said last week: "NCTC is a very sensitive issue. It should be the only matter of discussion at the meeting so that all states can express their views properly and adequate interaction can take place. Other issues can be discussed subsequently."

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa said: "It is indeed unfortunate that, without taking into consideration the views and sentiments of various State Chief Ministers, the constitution of the NCTC is sought to be steamrolled into existence. At this juncture, I request that the formation of the NCTC may first be ordered to be held in abeyance and a separate meeting of Chief Ministers may be convened only to discuss this matter. The views of various Chief Ministers will have to be given due consideration and a purposeful discussion on counter terrorism should be made possible. I request an early reply in this matter."

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said some aspects of the NCTC proposal were 'draconian'.

Patnaik said: "The matter relates to national security, terrorism and extremism which require deliberation with us at the highest level. All of us know about the effects of terrorism, the clear examples of which are attacks in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore." (ANI)