Letters: Time to set up NCTC

With reference to the editorial, "Tackling terror" (July 20), terrorists are increasingly using bizarre, random forms of attack and taking intelligence agencies for a ride. The latest example of this kind of attack was the Nice carnage in France.

Considering such tendencies, a country like India, which is surrounded by hostile neighbours, is especially vulnerable. Lack of preparedness may not only betray the country's counterterrorism tactics against fidayeen (suicide) attacks but also jeopardise its strategic interests.

In an attempt to radically change the anaemic internal security mechanism, the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) was envisaged by the United Progressive Alliance government. It was proposed that the NCTC would have access to counterterrorism intelligence generated by India's covert services, as well as command authority over the National Security Guard and the National Investigation Agency. Newly-created electronic databases would strengthen the NCTC backbone, providing it with vast access to real-time information.

It is unfortunate that the umbrella organisation is yet to take shape even as several states fear a compromise of their autonomy and a dilution of the federal structure of the country. It is time the National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre, with a decisive mandate in Parliament, addressed the lack of institutional arrangement for the management of India's counterterrorism response. While procurement and indigenous manufacturing of arms are essential, it is imperative to remove systemic deficiencies in skills and capabilities. The country can ill afford embarrassment by a few extremist forces.

Shreyans Jain New Delhi

Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number