Ahmed favours federal agency to tackle terrorism

Patiala, Aug 17 (UNI) Union Minister of state for Home Shameel Ahmed today stated a federal agency was needed to deal exclusively with cases of terrorism in the country.

Talking to mediapersons last night, on the sidelines of a 'musheria' here, he said that all states cutting across party lines should support the governments proposak for a central agency for tackling terrorism.

"Terrorism would have to be fought and states have to broaden their thinking," he said. The states must have a constructive approach for combating terrorism, he said while admitting that a consensus had not been reached on the setting up of an anti-terrorist federal agency.

The federal agency proposal gained urgency in the wake of blasts in Jaipur, Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

Mr Ahmed further said since law and order was a state subject, the Union Government had also proposed a joint consultative mechanism between the Centre and the states to check terrorist crime. Consent on a case-to-case basis for investigation by a central agency of select terror cases that may have inter-state or international links that pose a direct threat to national security, can be given by the states, he opined.

Crimes like smuggling of arms and fake Indian currency notes need to be tackled through a joint mechanism between states and the central government, he added.

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