Italian tourists abduction shows NCTC is required, says Manmohan Singh

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New Delhi, Mar 20: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today said that the abduction of two Italians by Maoists in Orissa has underlined the need for setting up the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) to tackle extremism.

“Abduction of two Italians in Orissa is a grim reminder of Left-wing extremism. The abduction is an indication that our security has a threat.” Dr. Singh said in the Rajya Sabha while replying to the President Pratibha Patil’s address.

Asserting that the setting up of NCTC is an important step in this direction, Dr. Singh said: “What happened in Orissa… the abduction of Italians by Maoists… shows that our nation’s security can be in danger if we are not alert.”

Referring to the charges levelled by the Opposition that the Centre was trying to destroy the federal structure of the country by operationalising the NCTC, Dr Manmohan Singh said: “Nothing will be done that will infringe on the federal structure of Constitution.”

“Adequate and full steps will be taken before the establishment of the NCTC. There will be consultations with the various heads on the matter before the next step. There are differences on the manner of the functioning and consensus can be brought through consultations and talks,” he added.

Maoists kidnapped Bosusco Paolo, 54 and Claudio Colangelo, 61 and kept them as hostages on the excuse that they were believed to have taken objectionable photographs of tribal women in Kandhamal-Ganjam border area of Orissa.

It is reported that the Maoists want the State Government to stop all combing operations and initiate dialogue with them.

The Maoists have demanded the state government to act on the 13-point charter of demands, which includes the release of political prisoners and the ending of Operation Greenhunt. (ANI)