Karnataka against 'unbridled powers' to NCTC

The Congress-ruled Karnataka Wednesday cautioned the party-led central government against "unbridled powers" to the proposed National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).

"Some safeguards are necessary before setting up the NCTC so that it is not given unbridled powers to encroach upon states' domain," Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in his address to the chief minister's meet on internal security here.

The meet was convened by the central home ministry with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh presiding.

Siddaramaiah said his government recognised "in principle" the "importance of data and intelligence sharing, planning of anti-terrorist activities including activities that are aimed at preventing, disabling or even tackling a terrorist attack in progress and the need for coordination between state and central agencies and sometimes police of other states and even international agencies".

On the Maoist activities in Karnataka, he wanted the central government to treat the state as "an affected state and provide central assistance by funding and imparting special training to our personnel".

"Alternatively, assistance may be extended for undertaking preventive measures so that the Naxal (Maoist) movement does not make inroads into the state," he said.