No need to set up ATS-QRF in Tamil Nadu, govt tells HC

CHENNAI: The State government on Monday informed the Madras High Court that there is no necessity to establish the Anti-Terrorist Squad and Quick Reaction Force for responding to the terror threats.

Advocate-General R Shunmugasundaram made this submission before the first bench comprising Acting Chief Justice T Raja and Justice D Krishnakumar. The bench was hearing a petition filed by advocate B Jagannath for setting up the ATS-QRF by the Tamil Nadu government.

According to the AG, the State government’s Home Department has already three wings to prevent and counter-terror threats in the state.

“The petitioner has alleged possible terror attacks from Sri Lanka due to the existing political instability in the island nation. His allegations merely on anxiety. Actually, there is no such situation. Besides, it falls under the purview of the Indian Government to take a call in this matter, ” the AG submitted.

Nevertheless, the judges pointed out the arrests made by the national investigation agency (NIA) in Tamil Nadu in connection with the Sri Lankan Easter bombings in April 2019.

The bench further ordered the State government to file its response within four weeks.

The petitioner submitted that due to the political instabilities in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, there would be a possibility for a terror attack in the State. He argued that though there is no law and order issue in TN now, the recent NIA in Tamil Nadu needs to be carefully examined.

“Although there is Q branch police and special wing to deal with the terror threats, they are only acting as an information gathering and investigation agencies,” the petitioner submitted.