BANGALORE: The BJP government in Karnataka, which has joined other NDA-ruled states and a few others in opposing the proposed National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), is forcing the Centre to postpone its enforcement, however, has not taken any concrete steps to address the issue of terrorism on its own.
According to top police officials, the proposed NCTC would be a boon to state security agencies in curbing terrorism, including busting sleeper cells of terrorists.
As of now, there exists no such professionally skilled antiterrorist force in Karnataka.
A police officer, on condition of anonymity, said the state had emerged as a breeding ground for antinational elements and some terrorist organisations like the Indian Mujahideen, and the absconding Bhatkal brothers, regarded as master- minds of terrorist activities in the country, were from Karnataka.
The Bhatkal brothers, who carry the highest award money of over `15 lakh on their heads each, are reportedly hiding in Pakistan.
They were also believed to have established a network of sleeper cells in the state and the country.
Because of the opposition to the NCTC, establishment of a counter-insurgency or anti-terrorism network would suffer a lot, the official said.
Referring to the establishment of Internal Security (IS) wing in the state police department three years ago, the official said the IS wing was suffering from several structural lapses.
No efforts were made to strengthen the IS , and the government was yet to establish a dedicated police station for it, he said, and added that the IS wing, which only had IG, DG, SP and DySplevel officials, had no power to arrest or interrogate any terror suspect.
Because of the lack of professional approach, skill and experience in dealing with terrorist organisations and a dedicated wing to address the issue, the attack on the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), in which one of the country’s top scientists, M C Puri, was killed, was yet to be cracked by the police, he added.
The NDA-ruled states had stated that the NCTC would trample the federal structure of the country, and so have opposed the Centre’s move.
Among other things, there is a provision in the NCTC to arrest an individual from any state and take him out elsewhere without informing the local police.
The main grouse among the opposing states appears to be that they were not properly consulted before finalising it.