Chidambaram talks tough on internal security

New Delhi: Home Minister P Chidambaram at the internal security meet on Tuesday expressed his concern over security situation in the country but called for strong measures to counter the challenge.

"We live in troubled neighborhood, as a result we are facing terror, inflow of refugees. We have to face everything within given resources," said the Home Minister.

But he pointed out that India is not an isolated case and said that terror incidents were taking place in Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Chidambaram contradicted UP Chief Minister Mayawati regarding terror attacks in the state and insisted that the IB had shared intelligence with the state government before Varanasi blast.

"We have shared intelligence input on recent terror attack including Pune and Varanasi," said Chidambaram.

Talking on the Naxal issue, the Home Minister informed that neither the effected states have made significant inroads, nor have CPI Maoists gained upper hand and there were casualties on both sides in 2010.

"We have provided extra power to state to fight Naxals," assures the Home Minister after informing that the CPI Maoists have added four companies to people liberation gurreila army.

A meeting will be held with the Chief Ministers of Naxal affected states on Tuesday evening.

Talking on another internal security challenge by insurgence groups in North East, Chidambaram said, "There was very less violence in 2010."

The Home Minister also informed that nine NE insurgent groups are ready for talks with the Government and said, "We are ready to give them mainstream life."

Chidambaram described the internal security situation in Jammu and Kashmir is unique and the situation is changing.

Talking over the challenges faced from various agitating groups and blockeds created by them, Chidambaram informed that there was Rs 10,500 crore loss in 2010 due to rasta roko alone. "I request State governments to provide maximum security to Highways and Railways," he said.

To counter the internal security challenges, there will be massive recruitments in security forces informed the Home Minister. He insisted on the need of taking bold and harsh decision to counter the internal security challenges and assures the states that the Central Government is ready to give full support.

"We are very clear. Every terror group will be produced before law for trial," said Chidambarm.