Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday said that a high alert has been sounded in all States, including Jammu and Kashmir, bordering Pakistan following inputs that militants from across the border could be planning some action in India.
Mr. Chidambaram said that situation was being reviewed on a daily basis and the "continuing flow of information’’ suggests that the militants could have identified some targets in India.
"We have taken a decision to increase level of alertness in states bordering Pakistan and that obviously includes Punjab," he said at his monthly stock taking press conference while replying to a query if there was any terror threat in Punjab where assembly polls are to be held soon. Assembly elections are also to be held in January-February in four other States – U.P., Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa.
"Apart from the Jehadi groups, there is BKI (Babar Khalsa International) and some other Khalistan groups. We did bust a BKI module a few days ago. So, we have to remain in high alert in Punjab. We are working with the
government of Punjab and we will continue to remain on high alert,’’ he said.
The Home Minister replied in negative when asked if there was revival of Khalistan movement in Punjab. ``There is no revival. These are remnant elements from old groups. Many of them have fled the country, many of them have taken refuge in foreign countries. These are remnant groups.There is no revival of Khalistan movement,’’ Mr. Chidambaram said.
Replying to another question, he said the Government has informed the
Bombay High Court about Pakistan judicial commission's desire to visit the country and interview key persons linked to the probe into 2008 Mumbai terror attacks including the official who had questioned Ajmal Kasab.
"Once we hear from the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court we will convey it to Pakistan. I hope this will go through in January 2012,’’ he said.
The commission will take the statements of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate R V Sawant Waghule and Investigating Officer Ramesh Mahale, who recorded the confessional statement of Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving
terrorist involved in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, to pursue the case in Pakistan.
Commenting on the overall internal security scenario in the country, Mr. Chidambaram said that violence was still at an ``unacceptably high level’’ and said that every effort would be made to contain it. ``Militant groups will be prevailed upon, through a judicious mix of police action and developmental action, to realize the futility of violence and that the only way to resolve differences in a democratic society is through talks,’’ he told reporters.
"In any democratic society that wants a peaceful atmosphere, containment of violence is always the buzzword. We have to bring down violence near zero level and make people understand the futility of violence. Nobody is going to over throw the state by violence. So, it is a completely futile method to achieve one's goal,’’ Mr. Chidambaram said.
Asked about his priority in 2012, he said that capacity building would continue to be accorded high priority. ``But when the adversaries increase their capacity, obviously we have to match their capacity too. The second watch word would be settlements or talks leading to agreement with larger number of groups. I think it is possible to reach settlements with at least four groups in 2012,’’ he indicated.
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