Committee seeks a central agency to tackle terrorism like crime

New Delhi, Nov 29 (UNI) The Consultative Committee attached to the Home Ministry today emphasised the need to create a federal investigative agency to take up certain types of crimes in the country.

Participating in the meeting, chaired by Home Minister Shivraj Patil, to discuss the need for ''Central Law Enforce Agency/Federal Investigation Agency'', members generally stressed the need for such an agency to investigate cases of terrorism and other related crimes that have inter-state and international ramifications.

They were of the view that such crimes should be clearly defined and a proper law framed for a central agency to investigate such cases. The final decision in this regard should be taken after consultations with the State Governments, they suggested.

Earlier, addressing the meeting, Mr Patil said police and public order were the state subjects and the Centre had its own limitation.

But very often it was expected from the central Government to take action.

It was, therefore, become necessary to discuss the need for a central agency to investigate certain types of crimes and the manner in which it should be done, he said, adding that the issue had earlier been discussed at several committees and fora.

The members who attended the meeting included Mr Lalhmingliana, D Raja and Dr K Malaisamy of the Rajya Sabha and Mr Manoranjan Bhakta, Sarbananda Sonowal and Mohan Singh of the Lok Sabha.

Ministers of State for Home Manikrao H Gavit and Ms V Radhika Selvi and Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta were among those present at the meeting.

UNI