“Why now?” Mamata Banerjee questioned Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the NCTC order. “Why not now?” should be counter question to her.
The letter from the prime minister to the states, who are indignant over the Centre’s order on National Counter Terrorism Centre, says the idea was recommended by a Group of Ministers in 2001 and is being implemented now. Mamata questioned the pressing necessity for such a move at this point.
If her argument is about principles of federalism, which some other states have also raised, it is acceptable. It is a genuine point that needs some clarification. But if her position is about the urgency behind the move, it certainly deserves to be condemned.
Tales of differences. Image courtesy PIB
The country needs to stay prepared against terror. Now that there is a lull in terrorist activities, it should not give rise to any kind of complacency. Several outfits are still active in country and they have been triggering explosions every now, inflicting heavy human cost. Worse, as the recent blast in Delhi suggests, they are getting more creative. Last year, there was a blast in Mumbai which claimed over 20 lives. It is possible something more sinister is in the making.
That calls for an anti-terror mechanism which is swift in its moves and is unencumbered by any procedures and federal niceties. The element of surprise is crucial to its operations and if the state government agencies are informed beforehand, there are possibilities of details getting leaked and terrorists getting alert. The police in states are not known to be too professional in their approach and they can be spoil the best laid plans hatched by the central authority.
Terrorists are always steps ahead of the intelligence agencies in their planning. One wrong move could easily make them change their strategy and think afresh. The idea of NCTC was valid in 2001 and it is still valid now. There should be no dilution of it. The objection from states can wait. And, there can be no questions on why it is being done now. `NOW’ is always the time when it is about steps on terror. There should be no compromises on that.
Mamata head a state which has not faced too many terror attacks. Possibly that is what makes her take a strong position on the issue. The BJP has been opportunistic enough to support her, while still vouching for the need for a strong anti-terrorism authority.
Someone must tell her not mix politics with issues related to terror.
