“The buck stops at CM" in terror responses in states: PC

"The buck stops at the desk of the chief minister." This was how Union Home Minister P Chidambaram sent a strong message to chief ministers at their conference of internal security to take responsibility in the response to terrorism in states.

"We represent elected governments. The Executive, more than the other branches of the State, and more than any other agency of government is ultimately responsible to the people. In the states, the buck stops at the desk of the chief minister. Hence, we have called this meeting of the chief ministers to apply our minds to the sole issue of terrorism," Chidamabaram said in the presence of prime minister Manmohan Singh.

With the handling of the Mumbai siege in the initial hours of the attack on Novemmber 26 coming under attack, Chidambaram wanted a clear command structure to be put in place in the case of a terrorist threat or a terrorist attack.

"There must be no ambiguity or confusion about who is in-charge: who will have overall authority over the different forces; who will deploy the forces according to the needs of the situation; and who will be held accountable for the success of the operation," the minister said.

Chidambaram said all these aspects must be spelt out clearly and made known to the State police department as well as the other forces that may be requisitioned in the case of a terrorist threat or a terrorist attack.