Bhubaneswar: With the Union Home Ministry yet to address the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) issue at the DGP level, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to convene a meeting of chief ministers to discuss it.
"I am disappointed to find, Sir, that a meeting has been called by the Union Home Secretary with state directors general of police (DGPs)," Patnaik wrote to the Prime Minister.
Stating that the NCTC issue was raised by several chief ministers including himself, Patnaik said: "The matter relates to national security, terrorism and extremism which require deliberation with us at the highest level. All of us know about the effects of terrorism, the clear examples of which are attacks in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangaluru.
"It is imperative that instead of a meeting chaired by the Union Home Secretary, an immediate meeting of Chief Ministers may be called by you to address the concerns of the states on this very urgent matter regarding the security of the nation," he said.
Referring to the letter to him on February 21 on the functions of the NCTC, Patnaik said that the Prime Minister had assured that the Union Home Minister would suitably address the issues raised by Chief Ministers.
"I have now received a letter dated 24th February, 2012 from the Union Home Minister saying that the Home Secretary, Government of India, will call a meeting of DGPs and other concerned officers of the state governments to discuss the functions of NCTC," he said.
Patnaik, was the first among ten chief ministers, on February 20 to oppose the organisation, power and function of the NCTC.
He wrote to the Prime Minister on February 20 and expressed displeasure over the Centre's silence on the concerns expressed by chief ministers.
Subsequently, the Prime Minister in identical letters to all chief ministers had assured that their concerns over the NCTC would be addressed.
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