Govt blinks on NCTC powers

In cold storage for the last 12 months, the National Counter Terrorism Centre could soon become a reality after the home ministry decided to strip the anti-terror body of its arrest powers. HT reports.

In cold storage for the last 12 months, the National Counter Terrorism Centre could soon become a reality after the home ministry decided to strip the anti-terror body of its arrest powers.

HT Image

The relook at the NCTC's powers comes in the backdrop of the government's attempts to breathe life into the ambitious project, as reported by HT on 24 February.

But following opposition by chief ministers of over a dozen states - right from Odisha and West Bengal to Gujarat - to the NCTC's search and arrest powers, the home ministry has decided to drop the clause.

Home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said there was no reason to oppose the NCTC in its new form. He added that the local police will make the arrests and thereby the state government would be involved.