Agartala: The Left Front government in Tripura joined the anti-NCTC chorus with Manik Sarkar becoming the 11th Chief Minister to oppose the proposal even as his Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi today accused the UPA of attacking the country's federal structure.Reflecting the government's view, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said fight against terror should be fought jointly and not be politicised. The Centre had no desire to infringe on the states' rights, she said.
Mr. Sarkar has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the proposal to set up the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), saying the "unilateral" order would only create "misunderstanding".
In the letter, Mr. Sarkar requested Mr. Singh that the NCTC order issued by the Home Ministry be withdrawn and a process of wider consultations initiated.
He said it was "unfortunate and surprising" that the NCTC order which dealt with security, an issue closely related to states had been issued without proper consultations.
"Considering that 'Public order' and 'Police' is a state subject under the Constitution of India, this action of the MHA amounts to encroachment on the powers of the state."
The Tripura Chief Minister said the need of the hour was for the states and the Centre to cooperate but the NCTC order would only create misunderstanding.
Chief Ministers of Orissa, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Bihar, Gujarat, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka have opposed creation of NCTC which is expected to be operational on March 1.
