NCTC an important weapon to counter terrorism: Manmohan Singh

me Minister has said that Central Government is committed to creating secure conditions for the countrymen and setting up of National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) is the suitable step in that direction. He has said that adequate consultations would take place on NCTC before the next meeting of chief ministers on April 16. Prime Minister was replying in Lok Sabha to President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil's address to a joint session of Parliament.

Prime Minister has said that dealing with terrorism activities has become a big challenge for us and it is of big concern. Setting up of NCTC has been discussed on various forums and a number of chief ministers have expressed their concerns on the same. All the difference can be narrowed through discussions and dialogue and it is not a major hurdle in the way. He further added that sufficient consultations would be discussed with the chief ministers before the next meetings. 

Prime Minister stressed that the main responsibility of NCTC would be to ensure a wide variety of security organisation in the country in tandem so that terrorism can be tackled by properly. During tackling terrorism many cooperation and exchange of various information between the agencies are essential. During this many information, documents, reports and cyber information from any agency can be helpful for other agencies like Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the National Investigation Agency, the National Technical Research Organization, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and all seven central armed police forces, including the National Security Guard (NSG). 

It is noted that several state governments have opposed the establishment of NCTC and said that it will be attack on the federal structure of the country. Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal have opposed the establishment of the NCTC on grounds that it would hurt the country's federal structure.

--With inputs from ANI.