Mamata repeats: NCTC will destroy federal structure

Ahead of a crucial meeting on Saturday to discuss the creation of a National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee seemed to indicate that she would continue to oppose the proposed body regardless of the fact that the Home Ministry had made some important changes in manner in which it is supposed to function.

Mamata, one of the several chief ministers who have raised strong objections to the NCTC, said the Centre must not try to "cross the boundaries" of federal structure.

"We are opposing the NCTC. Because there are boundaries for state governments and the Centre. No one should cross the boundaries. This NCTC is intervening in the state's boundaries. It would destroy the federal structure," she told reporters on Friday.

Mamata's opposition could have a spiral effect on many other chief ministers, as these are known to have formulated a common position on this issue in the past. Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa have been extremely critical of the provisions of the NCTC on the same grounds, as have been chief ministers of almost every other non-Congress ruled states.

The main objection is over the provisions that give the NCTC powers to arrest, search or seize anywhere in the country during anti-terrorism operations. The states have been arguing that law and order being state subjects, such provisions go against the federal character of governance. Following the strong resistance from several states, the Home Ministry had to convene a special meeting of chief ministers to discuss this issue.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh was non-committal on his stand. "All issues will come up for discussion in the meeting. We have formulated our position and we will state that in the meeting," he said.

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