President gives assent to NIA Bill

After informing about President's assent, Home Minister P Chidambaram said that the central probe agency will get its director general in a few days.

National Investigative Agency (NIA) Bill and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill on Wednesday became law as President Pratibha Patil gave her assent to these legislations which were passed in the last session of Parliament.

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Home Minister P Chidambaram told reporters that the presidential assent has been received on Wednesday.

"The regulations have come into effect from Wednesday," Chidambaram said.

He said the NIA will get its Director General in a few days.

"NIA will be established to investigate terrorist offences. As and when any case is assigned to NIA, it will take up investigation," he said.

Chidambaram said the work is in progress to set up 20 counter insurgency and anti-terrorism schools in the country which will train personnel to tackle cases involving terrorists.

The Home Minister also announced that a round the clock information gathering and sharing centre on terrorism has come into effect from today.

He said the Ministry will soon bring before the Cabinet a note on establishing NSG hubs in four main cities of the country and more such hubs will be set up in other cities as well.

Asked about the cooperation from Pakistan in investigation of Mumbai terror attacks, Chidambaram said "they are in a state of denial. Everything that we will give will be denied."

He said the father of Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist in the Mumbai attack, has appeared on the television saying that he (Kasab) is his son.

"Kasab himself has written to the Pakistan Government seeking legal help. What more evidence Pakistan needs," he said.