Chidambaram opens NSG hub, Mamata skips event

Embassy blast: Bomber was trained, says HM

Kolkata: The security of the country is a shared responsibility of the centre and the state, union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said Saturday here at the inauguration of the National Security Guard (NSG) hub, an event that was not attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The home minister said the central government is happy to work with the states on security.

"Internal security is a very complex issue. The security of the country is a shared responsibility. It is a responsibility that is shared by the central government and the state governments," Chidambaram said at the inauguration of the NSG hub here.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whose Trinamool Congress is part of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), had earlier written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking the government to "review and withdraw" the executive order on the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), to be formed March 1 after a cabinet nod last month.

Eight chief ministers of states voiced their opposition to the proposed counter-terrorism centre Friday, saying it is an infringement of the powers of the state.

"We are happy to work with the new government of West Bengal. The people of West Bengal will greatly appreciate and acknowledge that the Naxal problem that was affecting (the state) is substantially under control...," Chidambaram added.