Madras High Court seeks State government response to PIL seeking dedicated Anti-Terrorism Squad for Tamil Nadu

The Madras High Court on Monday sought the Tamil Nadu government's response in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a dedicated Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in the State to tackle "rising instances of Islamic fundamentalism" and "infiltration of radical elements from Sri Lanka." [B Jagannath vs The Chief Secretary, government of Tamil Nadu]..A Bench of Acting Chief Justice T Raja and Justice D Krishna Kumar asked the State government to file its counter affidavit within four weeks..The PIL was filed by a local lawyer, B Jagannath, who claimed that Tamil Nadu must be prepared for any possible terrorist attacks, by constituting a dedicated ATS.Jagannath claimed that since Tamil Nadu shared a coastal border with Sri Lanka, there was always a risk from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).He also said that recent newspaper reports had suggested a rise in Islamic fundamentalism, and that there existed a threat of "radical Jihadi elements from Pakistan and Afghanistan.".Justice Raja, however, remarked that the judges too read newspapers, but had not come across such news reports of possible threats to the State. The Bench also said that the State border police and the national Coast Guard were "very efficient," and were capable of implementing requisite security measures."The Coast Guard, the border police are very efficient. Show us where you anticipate threat. We also read newspapers, but haven't noticed anything. Tell us about specific instances that have taken place at any point of time," the Court said. The petitioner argued that the ATS was required as a preventive task force. He said that the Mumbai Police had constituted a dedicated ATS following the terror attacks in the city on November 26, 2008. He also said that states such as Kerala and Karnataka had not witnessed any terrorist activities, but still had dedicated anti-terror squads..Advocate General R Shunmugasundaram opposed the PIL, arguing that the State police had efficient personnel and had dedicated squads to deal with security issues. Besides, the petitioner had raised concerns on national security in his PIL, and therefore, he must seek relief from the Union government and not the State government, Shunmugasundaram argued. The Court, however, said that the State must put its submissions in a written counter affidavit."It is your own pleading that TN is a peaceful state compared to other states and there is no law and order situation here. So that's it. We can close the matter," the High Court said before adjourning the hearing by four weeks.