Date:13/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/13/stories/2008091361861200.htm

National

Anti-terror law: NSA backs Gujarat demand

Vinay Kumar

M.K. Narayanan

NEW DELHI: In what is seen as the UPA government speaking with different voices over the need for States enacting tough anti-terror laws, the Union Home Ministry has not taken kindly to the suggestion of the National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan favouring the Gujarat government’s proposal to have its own law to deal with terrorist activities and organised crime.

The NSA’s suggestion was contained in a letter which he recently wrote to the Home Ministry.

He reportedly saw no reason to turn down the request of the Gujarat government to have an anti-terror law.

The demand of the Narendra Modi government for a tough law to deal with terror-related crimes has gained ground in the wake of the recent bomb blasts in Ahmedabad.

It is learnt that Mr. Narayanan’s letter, described by sources in the Ministry as being “purely of an internal communication nature,” suggested that the Ministry reconsider the request of the Gujarat government.

He also reportedly cited demands by a number of senior police officers both at the Central and State levels for enacting a comprehensive, tough anti-terror law. Mr. Narayanan did not see anything wrong in supporting such a demand.

With the UPA government repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), enacted by the BJP-led NDA regime, Home Minister Shivraj Patil has said that the request of States like Gujarat could not be agreed to as the GUJCOCA has several provisions similar to the POTA.