Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's apprehensions that the far-reaching powers assigned to the planned “National Counter-Terrorism Centre” can be misused is not ill-founded (“9 CMs flay move on counter-terror hub,” Feb. 18). The contention of several Chief Ministers that the Centre is out to violate the federal structure of the State is also well understood. Yet, it cannot be denied that unless such drastic measures are instituted to curb acts of terror, we will be rendered helpless in the long run. Those opposing the move should keep the national interest above petty party politics and support the Centre.
K. Nehru Patnaik,Visakhapatnam
That tackling terror is being considered seriously by the Centre is welcome. But the remarks of nine Chief Ministers and a former Chief Minister countering it as if it is an act of encroaching on the turf of the States needs to be refined. When terrorism has vastly endangered the entire country, attempts to halt its moves are needed. Poverty, natural calamities, a lust for power, dishonesty and politics and misuse of modern instruments are the reasons why terror acts spread. The State governments must identify vulnerable core areas of terrorism and monitor them with their limited powers. Cordial Centre-State relations are a must. Swami Vivekananda's words are the need of the hour: “Help and not fight, assimilation and not destruction, harmony and peace and not dissension.”
A.J. Rangarajan,Chennai
I am quite surprised to see how the States can go against the overall interest of the nation in tackling terror outfits by voicing insecurity over the intelligence gathering being planned by the NCTC. It is very important that our political leaders come together in providing foolproof security without collateral loss. We must have a quick launch pad for our security agencies in order to strike at the roots of terror.
The UPA government seems to blessed with an ‘anti-Midas touch' so much so that whatever initiative it undertakes always ends up stirring up a hornets' nest. While there can be no two opinions on the urgent need to form a centralised agency on the lines of the Homeland Security' service in the U.S., the high-handed approach of not taking into confidence the State governments on such a vital measure smacks of arrogance. There is no guarantee that such an agency with Draconian powers will not be abused by the ruling party to target its political opponents. The misuse of the CBI is a pointer.
V.M. Swaraj,Chennai
With the threat of terror strikes looming large over India and with growing hostility and among the States, a national level agency to coordinate anti-terror intelligence and action is the need of the hour. But the amount of power they are invested with is a matter of concern. State agencies working at the behest of this national agency could be an alternative. While the opposition to the move could have been avoided if the Centre had worked this out in a better way, this step, towards effective terror control, must be appreciated.
Setting up such a unit is welcome, as terrorism is a petrifying and blood-curdling monster. However, since the issue is akin to “law and order” as well, consultation and consensus are a sine qua non to make the enactment meaningful, effective, and bias/misuse-free. The U.S. model of enactment may not fit the bill as India is a country of several States with marked diversities. While the U.S. is advanced, ours is a fast developing economy. Let arbitrariness and unilateralism give way to a consensus-based-conscious legislation by taking the States into confidence where their interests are safeguarded, before a Central law is enacted.
R. Sampath,Chennai
Is the federal structure of a nation more important than fighting terrorism? Can we afford to revisit the Mumbai 26/11 terror attack in any other State at the cost of upholding the federal structure of the country? The nation should unite to fight terrorism, which is only possible if all the States are united as a country.
Terrorism (religious or political) is a national problem and the country cannot afford to treat it as a mere law and order problem. Several Asian countries which have failed to nip this problem in the bud are now at the mercy of these elements. In view of this, the Union government's plan to create such a centre is a step in the right direction and needs to be accepted by all. The Chief Ministers who oppose it on the ground that it will violate the principle of federalism should see it as a national problem.
There is no gainsaying the fact that both the Centre and States have to strive together to ensure the safety of one-billion plus people in the country. At the same time, it is imperative that it is done within the broad and comprehensive framework of the Constitution. The proposed plan has triggered avoidable confrontation, which is anathema to federalism. It is not without reason that it is said that “Indian federalism is unitary in nature and practice.”
The NCTC, in the hands of the UPA, will turn into another hatchet like the CBI and NIA with which the ruling alliance can cut any State to size.
Col. C.V. Venugopalan (retd.),Palakkad
None of the Chief Ministers seems to have suggested alternative plans to counter terror in their States. With the presence of the CBI, the National Investigation Agency and the police forces, there seem to be adequate agencies to investigate and prosecute people and outfits for terror-related incidents. Therefore, it is for the Centre to explain the necessity for establishing the NCTC. Anyhow, opposing the Centre's move under the guise of federalism is not acceptable, particularly in countering terror.
Does this imply that terrorists acting in their States should be nabbed only with their consent? Objecting just for the sake of it hardly convinces anyone.
A third of Chief Ministers of the Indian Union have in one voice summarily opposed the formation of the centre. Union Home Affairs Minister P. Chidambaram, instead of adding more strength and power to the existing security laws and which have to be enforced with a sense of discipline and impartiality by security personnel, appears to be busy floating a new outfit. Is it a camouflage for his Ministry's poor show in checking terrorism?
T.V. Balakrishnan,Chennai
