Mamata to attend CM's meeting on NCTC on May 5

Kolkata, Apr 26:

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said she would take part in the Chief Minister's meeting on

on May 5.

"I am leaving here on May 4 to attend the CM's meeting on NCTC next day. I have also a meeting scheduled with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh," she told reporters here.

The CM's meeting on internal security in New Delhi on April 16 was initially tagged with the CM's meeting on NCTC.

Conceding the demand by three chief ministers, including Banerjee, the Centre has convened a stand-alone meeting on May 5 to discuss NCTC implementation, which has been held up due to stiff opposition from several states.

Banerjee did not attend the chief ministers' meeting on internal security in New Delhi on April 16. West Bengal government was represented by Finance Minister Amit Mitra.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had earlier said that the April 16 meeting of the chief ministers would discuss various issues related to internal security, while the May 5 meeting will primarily discuss the NCTC. Banerjee, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, among others, have objected to setting up of the proposed anti-terror hub, arguing it would infringe upon the states' powers.

They demanded a separate meeting of chief ministers be convened to exclusively discuss the NCTC as the April 16 meeting, called to discuss the internal security situation, would not have enough time to deliberate on the proposed anti-terror body.

PTI