Click to play videoNew Delhi/Ahmedabad: Chief Ministers of two BJP-ruled states – Gujarat's Narendra Modi and Rajasthan's Vasundhara Raje – have hit out at the Prime Minister for excluding terror from the National Integration Council (NIC) meet. Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan too has called for a POTA-like law.
In a letter written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Modi said that terrorism is a threat to the country and life of innocent people. He termed the exclusion of terrorism from the agenda of NIC meeting, which is to be held on October 13, as ''shocking''.
Speaking exclusively to CNN-IBN a few days ago, Modi had said that terrorism should be treated in the strongest possible way.
''It seems that the UPA Government is still not serious about terrorism, even after so many terror strikes in the country,'' he said in the letter.
''I had many times requested the Prime Minister to call a meeting of NIC to draw a national policy on terrorism,” he added.
''The meeting is being held but the Centre has excluded terrorism from the agenda. Terrorism should have been the main topic for discussion at the NIC, which deals with national integration and security,'' the Gujarat CM said in the letter.
A copy of the letter has also been sent to the Chief Ministers of all the states.
Following on the footsteps of Narendra Modi, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has also written to the PM for not listing terror in NIC.
At the same time, expressing his concern on the terrorism issue, the Madhya Pradesh government on Sunday asked the Centre to clear state's anti-terror bill and made a strong case for enactment of a POTA-type law for the whole country.
"The state Assembly has passed an anti-terrorism bill – The Madhya Pradesh Control of Terrorism, Unlawful Activities and Organised Crime Bill – in 2007 which is awaiting clearance from the Central government. Despite reminders, the Centre is yet to clear the bill," Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.
He has also requested PM Manmohan Singh to clear the anti-terrorism bill which is meant for dealing with terrorism, organised crime and disruptive activities.
The CM said that the Centre should initiate steps to reintroduce stringent anti-terror laws like POTA as it was the "need of the hour".
"Seeing spurt in terrorist strikes and to stop the anti-national forces from disturbing peace in the country, a POTA-type law is the need of the hour," he said.
Chouhan said since the spread of terrorism was a serious threat to peace, unity and integrity of the country, there was an urgent need to have political will and national consensus on fighting terrorism.
He said his government was prepared to foil any attempts by terrorists to disturb peace in Madhya Pradesh.
"The MP Police is vigilant and closely monitoring suspected hideouts. We are leaving no stone unturned to ensure a terror free atmosphere in the state," Chouhan said.
There have been reports that the Indian Mujahideen, allegedly responsible for the recent series of explosions in the country, may target Madhya Pradesh next.
Chouhan said his government was planning to modernise its police force, especially the Anti-Terrorist Cell (ATC), to provide immunity to state against any possible terror attacks.
"There is a separate allocation of funds for the modernisation of the state police force especially the ATC. Soon we plan to recruit more personnel to augment its strength," he added.
Madhya Pradesh has around 80,000 police personnel who are engaged in maintaining law and order, anti-terror activities besides others. The state government has planned to raise a Special Task Force to combat hi-tech crime, including economic offences.
The ATC will have trained personnel especially on cyber crime. It will also be gathering various intelligence inputs.
"A massive modernisation programme is also being undertaken by the Madhya Pradesh Police, which includes strengthening of cyber cell, procuring sophisticated arms, ammunition and communication equipment," Chouhan said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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