Telangana Committee This Week

In a press conference on the monthly report of the Union Home Ministry, the Home Minister P Chidambaram answered questions on a host of issues.

For those looking for news on Telangana, the HM said that a committee for Telangana will be announced early this week, to take forward the process for consultations on the issue. At the end of the Jan 5 meeting, the 8 political parties that were present made a joint appeal for peace in the state of Andhra Pradesh, he stated.

When asked about other states, he said this was a mechanism only related to the demand that has arisen in AP, following the Jan 5 meeting. He again appealed to students of AP not to take extreme steps.


On the topic of Naxalism, he said that talks are being held to coordinate anti-Naxal operations. He said in the districts where Naxalism is present, there is no authority of the government. He said that we have been living in a state of denial for too long, but in these large tracts of land, the authority of the civilian administration must be re-established. It would be long drawn struggle, he admitted.

When the recent MNS-Sena comments on Mumbai were brought up, Chidambaram said he rejects the ?pernicious theses? of the Shiv Sena or the MNS, that Mumbai belongs to all Indians, and that the government of Maharashtra is competent enough to manage the situation there.

In reply to another question, he said that Pakistani or Australian IPL players would be assured of full security if they came to India, and even played in Mumbai.