Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh offered to resign following his controversial remarks against Home Ministry for allegedly stalling some Chinese imports but Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has turned it down, PMO sources said on Thursday.
Mr. Ramesh had offered his resignation on Monday night after he had reportedly said in Beijing that the Home Ministry and the security establishment were being “alarmist and paranoid” when it came to Chinese companies wanting to do business in India, raising a storm.
PMO sources said Mr. Ramesh’s offer to put in his papers has been turned down by the Prime Minister.
Strongly disapproving of his remarks, the Prime Minister and the Congress had reprimanded him even as the Opposition BJP had demanded action against him for the “highly objectionable” comments.
Apparently sensing trouble, Mr. Ramesh had tried to clarify his statement in a letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister soon after his return from Beijing on Monday but it failed to cut ice.
Home Minister P. Chidambaram had written a strongly-worded letter to Dr. Singh, expressing unhappiness over his Cabinet colleague’s remarks that his ministry had an “alarmist” approach towards Chinese investments and was putting “needless” restrictions.
After receiving letters from Mr. Chidambaram and Mr. Ramesh, Dr. Singh had spoken to Mr. Ramesh and told him that he should not have commented on functioning of other ministries.
Dr. Singh had told Mr. Ramesh it was “advisable for Cabinet colleagues not to make comments on the functioning of other ministries, especially with regard to relationship with important neighbours like China,” according to PMO sources.
“There is no confusion in our policies towards China and we continue to strive for constructive engagement with Beijing,” Dr. Singh had told Mr. Ramesh.
Mr. Ramesh had yesterday met Mr. Chidambaram and is said to have clarified the context of his statement.
Mr. Ramesh, while talking about the India—China warmth developed during the Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change, had suggested that the Home Ministry needed to be “much more relaxed” in its approach to Chinese investments in India.
Showing posts with label Chidambaram. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chidambaram. Show all posts
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Unmanned planes to track Maoists
The government is planning to deploy Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in the fight against Naxals for “reconnaissance” and their trials will take place next week.
Barely 48 hours after the worst-ever Maoist attack on security forces, government sources said that the UAVs are urgently required for “real time intelligence” to track the movements of Maoists in the dense forests to help security forces plan operations “more accurately” and “intercept” the Maoists’ movements with the help of images.
The UAVs, which are expected to be procured from Israel, are likely to have a capacity to fly 5,000 feet above the ground where it would capture and monitor movements of Maoists in the jungles providing instant information to the security forces. The government may also request the IAF to provide more helicopters for “rescue” as well as “surveillance” during the anti-Naxal operations.
Four helicopters of BSF are currently deployed in Naxal-affected areas. The government is likely to hasten the process of dividing the mandate of the CRPF into two parts to create a separate wing for counter-insurgency operations.
Barely 48 hours after the worst-ever Maoist attack on security forces, government sources said that the UAVs are urgently required for “real time intelligence” to track the movements of Maoists in the dense forests to help security forces plan operations “more accurately” and “intercept” the Maoists’ movements with the help of images.
The UAVs, which are expected to be procured from Israel, are likely to have a capacity to fly 5,000 feet above the ground where it would capture and monitor movements of Maoists in the jungles providing instant information to the security forces. The government may also request the IAF to provide more helicopters for “rescue” as well as “surveillance” during the anti-Naxal operations.
Four helicopters of BSF are currently deployed in Naxal-affected areas. The government is likely to hasten the process of dividing the mandate of the CRPF into two parts to create a separate wing for counter-insurgency operations.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Legitimate right to use force to tackle Maoists: Chidambaram
Government on Friday said it has the legitimate right to use as much force as necessary to regain control of areas dominated by the Maoists and made it clear that talks with it could only take place if the ultras abjured violence.
Terming naxalism as a “graver problem” than jihadi terrorism, Home Minister P. Chidambaram vowed to effectively tackle the threat from Maoists, who have declared a war against the Indian state, before the term of the government ends.
Mr. Chidambaram said the goal of the Maoists was armed liberation struggle and the sole purpose was to seize power.
Referring to the offer of talks made by the government to the Maoists recently, he asked, “Why aren’t the Maoists making a simple statement that we abjure violence?”
He said in such a situation, it was the legitimate right of the government to use as much force necessary to regain the areas and hoped that once the government regains control in two to three years, it would usher in development.
“We are confident that before the term of UPA II ends, we will get rid of naxals and will have considerably strengthened our security to face any threat,” he said addressing the India Today Conclave here.
Mr. Chidambaram described naxalism as a “graver problem” than that of jihadi terrorism and pointed out that they have presence in 200 districts of the country and virtually control 34.
“They (Maoists) have declared a war on the Indian state...They are anti-development. They do not want the poor to be emancipated or become economically free,” Mr. Chidambaram said, adding civil right groups naively think that naxalites are pro-poor.
With the serious threat of jihadi terrorism centred around Pakistan and Afghanistan and also affecting Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Mr. Chidambaram said South Asia is, therefore, duty bound to work together to end the menace.
The Home Minister referred to the “splendid cooperation” from Bangladesh in tackling militancy after Sheikh Hasina’s government came to power but expressed concern over recent developments in Nepal where, he said, there was “sprouting of anti-India activity”.
Terming naxalism as a “graver problem” than jihadi terrorism, Home Minister P. Chidambaram vowed to effectively tackle the threat from Maoists, who have declared a war against the Indian state, before the term of the government ends.
Mr. Chidambaram said the goal of the Maoists was armed liberation struggle and the sole purpose was to seize power.
Referring to the offer of talks made by the government to the Maoists recently, he asked, “Why aren’t the Maoists making a simple statement that we abjure violence?”
He said in such a situation, it was the legitimate right of the government to use as much force necessary to regain the areas and hoped that once the government regains control in two to three years, it would usher in development.
“We are confident that before the term of UPA II ends, we will get rid of naxals and will have considerably strengthened our security to face any threat,” he said addressing the India Today Conclave here.
Mr. Chidambaram described naxalism as a “graver problem” than that of jihadi terrorism and pointed out that they have presence in 200 districts of the country and virtually control 34.
“They (Maoists) have declared a war on the Indian state...They are anti-development. They do not want the poor to be emancipated or become economically free,” Mr. Chidambaram said, adding civil right groups naively think that naxalites are pro-poor.
With the serious threat of jihadi terrorism centred around Pakistan and Afghanistan and also affecting Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Mr. Chidambaram said South Asia is, therefore, duty bound to work together to end the menace.
The Home Minister referred to the “splendid cooperation” from Bangladesh in tackling militancy after Sheikh Hasina’s government came to power but expressed concern over recent developments in Nepal where, he said, there was “sprouting of anti-India activity”.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
India needs real time decision support system to nab criminals: Chidambaram
Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Thursday advocated a robust real time decision support system to track down terrorists and organised criminals who have developed various channels of communication with the help of technology.
“The terrorists and organised criminals have developed overt and covert technologies including Information Communication Technology. This has made the job of law and order professionals far more challenging than ever before,” he said addressing the Silver Jubilee function of National Crime Record Bureau.
The Home Minister said the country needs solutions that can offer robust, real-time and validated decision support systems for the police leadership to evolve remedial and pro-active strategies.
“The sheer magnitude of crime in a federal polity of our geographical size makes this task a really challenging one,” he said.
Mr. Chidambaram said the challenges posed by criminality in general and other more serious manifestations of crime in particular like terrorism, insurgency, left wing extremism, trans-national crimes, drugs and arms trafficking, cyber crimes tend to establish that war against the Indian state is being fought more in the hinterland than on the borders.
“Today, we are fighting our battles on individual pitches. We need to connect, coordinate and supplement our efforts both at micro and macro levels,” he said.
Referring to the Home Ministry’s Rs 2,000 crore ambitious Crime, Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) project, the Home Minister said a conscious decision has been taken to mandate the NCRB to roll out the CCTNS.
“Through the CCTNS, we intend to create a national databank of crime and criminals and their biometric profiles,” he said.
This database will have a handshake with databases of 21 other agencies of the criminal justice system like courts, jails, immigration and passport authorities, and subsequently, be extended to other national agencies through the NATGRID so that terror and crime could be fought more professionally.
“It will also create a mechanism to provide public services like registration of online complaints, ascertaining the status of case registered at the police station, verification of persons etc,” he said.
Mr. Chidambaram, however, expressed disappointment over the initial delay in implementation of the CCTNS project. “If we remain firm, determined and have complete control, it is possible to limit the slippage in some stages“.
The Home Minister said though the initial easy tasks of the CCTNS project has been completed, the key works were yet to be done and hoped that the NCRB would be able to do it efficiently and in time.
“The terrorists and organised criminals have developed overt and covert technologies including Information Communication Technology. This has made the job of law and order professionals far more challenging than ever before,” he said addressing the Silver Jubilee function of National Crime Record Bureau.
The Home Minister said the country needs solutions that can offer robust, real-time and validated decision support systems for the police leadership to evolve remedial and pro-active strategies.
“The sheer magnitude of crime in a federal polity of our geographical size makes this task a really challenging one,” he said.
Mr. Chidambaram said the challenges posed by criminality in general and other more serious manifestations of crime in particular like terrorism, insurgency, left wing extremism, trans-national crimes, drugs and arms trafficking, cyber crimes tend to establish that war against the Indian state is being fought more in the hinterland than on the borders.
“Today, we are fighting our battles on individual pitches. We need to connect, coordinate and supplement our efforts both at micro and macro levels,” he said.
Referring to the Home Ministry’s Rs 2,000 crore ambitious Crime, Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) project, the Home Minister said a conscious decision has been taken to mandate the NCRB to roll out the CCTNS.
“Through the CCTNS, we intend to create a national databank of crime and criminals and their biometric profiles,” he said.
This database will have a handshake with databases of 21 other agencies of the criminal justice system like courts, jails, immigration and passport authorities, and subsequently, be extended to other national agencies through the NATGRID so that terror and crime could be fought more professionally.
“It will also create a mechanism to provide public services like registration of online complaints, ascertaining the status of case registered at the police station, verification of persons etc,” he said.
Mr. Chidambaram, however, expressed disappointment over the initial delay in implementation of the CCTNS project. “If we remain firm, determined and have complete control, it is possible to limit the slippage in some stages“.
The Home Minister said though the initial easy tasks of the CCTNS project has been completed, the key works were yet to be done and hoped that the NCRB would be able to do it efficiently and in time.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Maoists must give up violence before talks: Govt.
Responding to the ceasefire offer by Maoists, Government made it clear that it will not accept any pre-conditions for talks with “ifs and buts” and asked the militants to come out with a simple statement saying they will abjure violence.
“I would like no ifs, no buts and no conditions,” Home Minister P. Chidambaram said in a statement, a day after the CPI(Maoists) made a conditional ceasefire offer asking the Government to halt the offensive against them for 72 days and involve mediators for talks.
He said the Government has seen many versions of a statement reportedly made by the leaders of the CPI (Maoist). “In the absence of an authentic statement, Government is unable to respond to these versions,” the statement said.
Nevertheless, in order to clear the air, the Home Minister said, “I would like a short, simple statement from the CPI (Maoist) saying ‘We will abjure violence and we are prepared for talks’“.
“Once I receive the statement, I shall consult the Prime Minister and other colleagues and respond promptly,” he said.
Last night, top Maoist leader Kishenji told the media over the phone from an undisclosed place that “state governments and the Centre should not indulge in violence between February 25 and May 7 and concentrate on development of tribal areas which will be reciprocated by Maoists“.
He was responding to Mr. Chidamabaram’s statement last week that if the Maoists halted violence for 72 hours, the government would be ready for talks with them.
“I would like no ifs, no buts and no conditions,” Home Minister P. Chidambaram said in a statement, a day after the CPI(Maoists) made a conditional ceasefire offer asking the Government to halt the offensive against them for 72 days and involve mediators for talks.
He said the Government has seen many versions of a statement reportedly made by the leaders of the CPI (Maoist). “In the absence of an authentic statement, Government is unable to respond to these versions,” the statement said.
Nevertheless, in order to clear the air, the Home Minister said, “I would like a short, simple statement from the CPI (Maoist) saying ‘We will abjure violence and we are prepared for talks’“.
“Once I receive the statement, I shall consult the Prime Minister and other colleagues and respond promptly,” he said.
Last night, top Maoist leader Kishenji told the media over the phone from an undisclosed place that “state governments and the Centre should not indulge in violence between February 25 and May 7 and concentrate on development of tribal areas which will be reciprocated by Maoists“.
He was responding to Mr. Chidamabaram’s statement last week that if the Maoists halted violence for 72 hours, the government would be ready for talks with them.
Friday, February 19, 2010
India to raise 26/11 probe status with Pakistan
Just a week ahead of the meeting between Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan, Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday said issues relating to the probe into 26/11 attacks will be taken up during the parleys.
Noting that the “specific issues” to be taken up during the discussions were being finalised by the Indian side, he said the ministry would like “pending issues” concerning the 26/11 case and investigation also to be part of it.
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao will be meeting her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir here on February 25 with India making it clear that terror will be on top of its agenda.
Seeking access to Headley
In an interaction with women journalists, the Home Minister also said his ministry would go through the legal process to seek access to Pakistani-American LeT operative David Headley, now lodged in a Chicago jail.
Asked if FBI was holding back some crucial information from the Indian government as was being suggested by some reports, Mr. Chidambaram said, “Well, I don’t know. All I can say is FBI has shared vital information. If they are holding back any information, there is no way my knowing that they are holding back any information.
“And as far as access to Headley is concerned. Our position remains the same that we will go through legal process to seek access to David headley.”
Mr. Chidambaram also indicated that he would be attending the SAARC home ministers' meeting in Islamabad.
“If and when it is held, the present position of the government is that we are attending,” he said.
The meeting scheduled this month was postponed at Nepal's request.
Noting that the “specific issues” to be taken up during the discussions were being finalised by the Indian side, he said the ministry would like “pending issues” concerning the 26/11 case and investigation also to be part of it.
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao will be meeting her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir here on February 25 with India making it clear that terror will be on top of its agenda.
Seeking access to Headley
In an interaction with women journalists, the Home Minister also said his ministry would go through the legal process to seek access to Pakistani-American LeT operative David Headley, now lodged in a Chicago jail.
Asked if FBI was holding back some crucial information from the Indian government as was being suggested by some reports, Mr. Chidambaram said, “Well, I don’t know. All I can say is FBI has shared vital information. If they are holding back any information, there is no way my knowing that they are holding back any information.
“And as far as access to Headley is concerned. Our position remains the same that we will go through legal process to seek access to David headley.”
Mr. Chidambaram also indicated that he would be attending the SAARC home ministers' meeting in Islamabad.
“If and when it is held, the present position of the government is that we are attending,” he said.
The meeting scheduled this month was postponed at Nepal's request.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
India cannot be deterred by HuJI’s threat: Chidambaram
Asserting that the Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami (HuJI) operational chief Iliyas Kashmiri cannot dictate terms to the country, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said India is not deterred by his threats.
“Ilyas Kashmir cannot dictate our course of action. We cannot be deterred and we are not deterred by what he says,” he told reporters here.
Mr. Chidambaram said this when asked about Kashmiri’s threat to international players that they should not go to India to take part in IPL and Commonwealth Games.
The Home Minister, who chaired the Unified Command meeting and reviewed the security situation and the surrender policy here, said the Centre will provide full protection to every player, coach and official who participates in the forthcoming hockey World Cup, IPL and the Commonwealth Games.
Kashmiri’s warning to India was posted by the ‘Asian Times Online’. The portal said it received Kashmiri’s message on Monday morning shortly after the Pune blast. “We warn the international community not to send their people in 2010 Hockey World Cup, IPL and Commonwealth Games. Nor should their people visit India. If they do, they will be responsible for the consequences,” said the statement from Kashmiri.
“Ilyas Kashmir cannot dictate our course of action. We cannot be deterred and we are not deterred by what he says,” he told reporters here.
Mr. Chidambaram said this when asked about Kashmiri’s threat to international players that they should not go to India to take part in IPL and Commonwealth Games.
The Home Minister, who chaired the Unified Command meeting and reviewed the security situation and the surrender policy here, said the Centre will provide full protection to every player, coach and official who participates in the forthcoming hockey World Cup, IPL and the Commonwealth Games.
Kashmiri’s warning to India was posted by the ‘Asian Times Online’. The portal said it received Kashmiri’s message on Monday morning shortly after the Pune blast. “We warn the international community not to send their people in 2010 Hockey World Cup, IPL and Commonwealth Games. Nor should their people visit India. If they do, they will be responsible for the consequences,” said the statement from Kashmiri.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Maoists kill 24 jawans in West Bengal
A daring attack by Maoists on a police camp in West Bengal's West Midnapore district Monday has left 24 security personnel dead, an official said.
The incident took place at Shilda locality in the district when a group of Maoists opened fire at the camp of the joint security forces deployed to combat the Maoists.
"According to latest information 24 security personnel were killed in the attack," West Midnapore district magistrate N.S. Nigam told IANS. Many security personnel went missing after the attack.
The attack comes just six days after home minister P. Chidambaram held a meeting here with the officials of the four eastern states of Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal to launch an inter-state operation against the left-wing extremists.
An eyewitness said the rebels came on motorbikes and triggered a landmine blast in front of the joint forces' camp.
"I heard the sound of the blast and came out of the kitchen. I saw bodies lying around the area," he said.
"A group of around 60 Maoists started a gun battle with the joint forces which continued for quite sometime," said the eyewitness, who is the cook for the joint forces.
According to sources, there were 51 troopers inside the Shilda police camp, comprising 35 Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) and State Armed Police (SAP) personnel.
Top Maoist leader Koteswar Rao alias Kishenji has claimed his group - the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist - was behind the attack.
"We launched this attack protesting against the proposed Operation Green Hunt against the Maoists," Kishenji said, condoling the death of Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) jawans in the attack.
Expressing willingness to participate in dialogue with the government, he said: "We are ready to sit for talks but the union government must stop the joint operation against the Maoists."
Earlier, state Director General of Police Bhupinder Singh said that some casualties had taken place at Shilda where a joint forces' camp was attacked by the Maoists.
"There have been some casualties," he said, declining to confirm the toll.
"We have got information that a group of Maoist rebels attacked a joint forces camp at Shilda locality and also set it afire. We are sending reinforcement to the spot," state Inspector General of Police (Western range) Kuldip Singh told IANS.
According to local sources, the leftwing ultras came on bikes and ransacked the joint forces' establishment, took away firearms and later set it ablaze.
The Maoists also planted landmines at Narayanpurchak area - a place close to Shilda, shouted slogans and scattered pamphlets while escaping, police said.
He said no Maoist was injured in the gun battle with the joint forces.
The incident took place at Shilda locality in the district when a group of Maoists opened fire at the camp of the joint security forces deployed to combat the Maoists.
"According to latest information 24 security personnel were killed in the attack," West Midnapore district magistrate N.S. Nigam told IANS. Many security personnel went missing after the attack.
The attack comes just six days after home minister P. Chidambaram held a meeting here with the officials of the four eastern states of Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal to launch an inter-state operation against the left-wing extremists.
An eyewitness said the rebels came on motorbikes and triggered a landmine blast in front of the joint forces' camp.
"I heard the sound of the blast and came out of the kitchen. I saw bodies lying around the area," he said.
"A group of around 60 Maoists started a gun battle with the joint forces which continued for quite sometime," said the eyewitness, who is the cook for the joint forces.
According to sources, there were 51 troopers inside the Shilda police camp, comprising 35 Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) and State Armed Police (SAP) personnel.
Top Maoist leader Koteswar Rao alias Kishenji has claimed his group - the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist - was behind the attack.
"We launched this attack protesting against the proposed Operation Green Hunt against the Maoists," Kishenji said, condoling the death of Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) jawans in the attack.
Expressing willingness to participate in dialogue with the government, he said: "We are ready to sit for talks but the union government must stop the joint operation against the Maoists."
Earlier, state Director General of Police Bhupinder Singh said that some casualties had taken place at Shilda where a joint forces' camp was attacked by the Maoists.
"There have been some casualties," he said, declining to confirm the toll.
"We have got information that a group of Maoist rebels attacked a joint forces camp at Shilda locality and also set it afire. We are sending reinforcement to the spot," state Inspector General of Police (Western range) Kuldip Singh told IANS.
According to local sources, the leftwing ultras came on bikes and ransacked the joint forces' establishment, took away firearms and later set it ablaze.
The Maoists also planted landmines at Narayanpurchak area - a place close to Shilda, shouted slogans and scattered pamphlets while escaping, police said.
He said no Maoist was injured in the gun battle with the joint forces.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Chidambaram denies intelligence failure
Dismissing "intelligence failure" in the Pune blast, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Sunday said the terrorists have hit a "soft target" like the German bakery which is frequented by foreigners and Indians alike.
He maintained that the "hard targets" like the Osho Ashram and the Jewish Chabad House located near the bakery had been surveyed by U.S. Lashker-e-Taiba suspect David Headley during his visit to India and the area was "in the radar" of security agencies for some time.
"But apart from hard targets, there are soft targets... All these (the German bakery where the blast took place yesterday and an Italian restaurant nearby) are soft targets where foreigners and Indians congregate especially during the peak hours," he told reporters here after visiting local hospitals to meet the injured in the terror attack.
The Home Minister said the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad has taken over the case and constituted teams to investigate the blast.
He announced a compensation of Rs. five lakh to the families of those killed in the attack.
'Bomb was kept in backpack'
After an early morning visit, Mr. Chidambaram told reporters that the terrorist who brought the bomb to the German bakery on Saturday evening may have posed as a customer.
“The bomb was apparently planted in a backpack and left there. The person apparently came there as a customer, unlike the usual gun-wielding terror attacks,” he said.
Mr. Chidambaram said forensic experts were trying to determine what explosives were used and how the bomb was triggered.
"All the information available to us at the moment points to a plot to explode a device in a place that is frequented by foreigners as well as Indians,'' Mr. Chidambaram said.
The deafening blast also injured nearly 60 people, some of them critically.
Unless these soft targets also adopt strict security measures, it would be difficult to detect things, he said.
He said whether the German bakery had put in place any such measures would be probed.
It was the worst terror attack in India after November 2008 when a group of Pakistani terrorists went on a killing spree in Mumbai leaving 166 Indians and foreigners dead.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Dark forces in Pak won't succeed: PC
Terming militant groups in Pakistan as "dark forces", Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Sunday said New Delhi was watching the activities of terror outfits in Pakistani Kashmir but stressed they won't succeed in their anti-India designs.
"Let me draw your attention to the Feb 4 meeting of militant groups in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, which was attended by the Laskhar-e-Taiba and the Hizbul Mujahideen. It is clear that these groups are anti-India and want annexation of Jammu and Kashmir... These dark forces will not succeed," said Mr Chidambaram.
He was giving his opening remarks at the internal security conclave for state chief ministers held here.
The home minister was referring to the Muzaffarabad rally organised by the Lashkar jehadi outfit through its banned frontal organisation the Jama'at-ud-Dawaah on Thursday.
Attended by the Hizbul Mujahideen chief, the jehadi meeting vowed to revert to the "Kashmir freedom cause" and continue supporting a separatist campaign in the insurgency-riven state of India.
Chidambaram said infiltration attempts from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir had gone up.
