Click to play videoNew Delhi: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has said that existing laws are enough to deal with terror-related activities. Patil, who met Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi earlier on Monday, in an interview to CNN-IBN said that while current anti-terrorism laws were good enough, a central agency to combat terror is the need of the hour. Patil also said that the investigators have clues as to who carried out the attacks in Bangalore and Ahmedabad.
He declined to comment on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj allegation that the blasts were a conspiracy to divert attention from the cash for vote allegations and to bring back the Muslim votes back into UPA’s fold
"I will not join issue with BJP on conspiracy charges," Patil said.
On federal laws
The issue has to be solved with the cooperation of all states. The Constitution has to be amended and it cannot be done if all the states do not cooperate. Even after the government has passed the law, it has to be ratified by one half of the states. I am for a federal intelligence agency to deal with terrorism but state governments have to agree.
On the blasts
We have clues and we would examine these matters. I would not like to say that whatever is being said is the correct thing this time. It has to be examined carefully. We have clues about home-grown terror groups and we are examining them. We will hold a meeting of chief ministers very soon.
On terror laws
The necessary laws are already available. POTA might have been repealed but certain important provisions of POTA have been transferred to the Prevention of Unlawful Activities Act and that has to be understood and used.
On Allegation that intelligence reports are like weather reports
When these politicians talk to us they talk sense. And they have not said anything like this to us in our meetings. If these allegations are discussed in Parliament, I will put records of last four years and last 10 years.
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