May 05, 2012 16:48 (IST)
Highlights of Chidambaram's press conference:
- 24 chief ministers were present;3 ministers representing their states were present
- Speakers recognized need for an NCTC and the powers and functions of the organisation
- Strong support for NCTC, qualified support by some CM's and outright rejection of the idea by 3 CMs
- Given the kind of threat India faces, between intelligence and investigative agencies, what India needs is a counter terrorism body. It needs to mobilize all sorts of power, including police, judicial, diplomatic.
- Gaps cannot be filled by police, it needs to be filled by a strong anti-terror body. NCTC is that body. It will be highly trained and effective force
- Success and failures in anti-terror operations documented
- Firmly believe a strong anti-terror body is needed
- The decision to bring NCTC under IB was taken by the government based on recommendations by the GoM in 2001
- Two CMs have asked for more safeguards to be built, which will be considered
- Powers and functions of NCTC can be debated
- All suggestions will be carefully and anxiously considered