New Delhi: Setting the tone for the upcoming Chief Ministers' meeting on NCTC, Home Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday discounted the fears of states that it would encroach upon their rights as he underlined that fighting terror was a shared responsibility between the Centre and states.
He also questioned the opposition to the amendment to the BSF Act, saying it gave no extra power to the para military force but was only aimed at regularising its deployment in states which was not provided under the original law.
"Dealing with violence and terrorism is the shared responsibility. While we are willing to share our responsibility, we want states to share their responsibility," Chidambaram said in reply to a debate in the Lok Sabha on the Demand for Grants for the Home Ministry.
Chidambaram on Wednesday discounted the fears of states that it would encroach upon their rights as he underlined that fighting terror was a shared responsibility between the Centre and states.
The Demand for Grants was passed by a voice vote after the cut motions were defeated.
Referring to the NCTC which is being opposed by many Chief Ministers, including UPA ally Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal, Chidambaram said it was an off-shoot of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act that was debated and passed by Parliament in 2004 and amended in 2008.
"I am accused of encroaching states' powers. What power am I encroaching upon? (Under the NCTC), the designated agency may arrest an accused and hand him over to the nearest police station immediately," he said.
He was referring to the UAPA's provision 43(A) which empowers police to arrest and search and seize, which is being opposed by the states.
"You should have said what I was doing for last three years. I was tardy. I delayed it for three years. But you are accusing me of encroaching your powers," Chidambaram said addressing the states.
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