Congress again bats for federal anti-terror agency

New Delhi, Sep 15 (UNI) Reiterating its resolve to root out terrorism, the Congress today underlined the urgent need for constituting a central Anti-Terror Federal agency and sought the cooperation of the states and all political parties in this regard.

AICC Spokesman Abishek Manu Singhvi told mediapersons that the Constitution had to be amended to provide for such a federal agency.

However, this had to be ratified by all the states.

Saying that the Manmohan Singh government would not spare any effort to nab those responsible for the terror strikes in Delhi on Saturday, he said the states ruled by the non-UPA parties should come forward to help the Centre constitute a federal agency to fight terror effectively.

In this context, he asked all the political parties to stand united.

On the demand for bringing back POTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act), which was repealed by the UPA government and replaced with the Unlawful Prevention of Activities Act, Dr Singhvi said 70 to 75 per cent of the provisions in the POTA were incorporated in the new act.

"However, we are fully open to any constructive suggestion to improve the present act in sofar as surveillance and related issues are concerned," he said.

Dr Singhvi asked the Opposition BJP to stop using rhetoric as it would not solve any problem. "We should put collective efforts.

There have been results in the past." Denouncing the 'despicable and heinous' act of terror unleashed by terrorists in Delhi on Saturday, the spokesman said " no word can be strong enough to convey our sense of anguish and anger." On the Opposition criticism that the present government was soft on terror, Dr Singhvi said : "Let no one doubt the commitment and resolve of this government in its fight against terror." UNI SH RR RK1900