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India may seek more information from Islamabad on Mumbai terror attacks - P. Chidambaram
February 27, 2009.
The Home Minister Mr. P Chidambaram has indicated that answers to Pakistan's queries on Mumbai terror attacks will be ready next week. He said that India may also seek more information from Islamabad in this connection. Talking to reporters in New Delhi this evening Home Minister said that the ministry is formulating answers to questions raised by Pakistan on Mumbai dossier. Mr. Chidambaram elaborated that many of the answers to Pakistan's questions are contained in the charge sheet filed by Mumbai police which is a public document. He made it clear that the dossier provided to Pakistan is an irrefutable document based of facts and sound analysis. Mr Chidambaram said that Pakistan was forced to admit that its territory was used to plot and carry out the terrorist attacks in Mumbai after early dilly dallying. He described Pakistan admission as victory for the UPA government's foreign policy and its coercive diplomacy. In reply to a question, he said that investigating agencies in Mumbai have zeroed in on the involvement of a Pakistani forces officer in the attack and further investigation is on. He described Pakistan Naval Chief's denial statement that only live terrorist involved in Mumbai terror attack Ajmal Kasab took the sea route to carry out the attacks, as yet another proof of Islamabad's prevaricating policy. Mr. Chidambaram said that Pakistan appears to have made investigating the origins of terror attack in Mumbai and urged Islamabad to take the investigation to the logical conclusion and punish the perpetrators of violence. The Home Minister asserted that there is a high degree of preparedness to meet any terrorist threat and attacks. He said that this is to supplement the diplomatic efforts which have yielded results.
Mr. Chidambaram said that a 100-day Action Plan on security is in place from 21st of this month which makes every officer accountable . The Home Minister gave the details of the measures taken by his Ministry in February to deal with the insurgency and terrorism and strengthen the internal security. He said that an amount of over 700 crore rupees has been approved for modernization of state police force for the next fiscal and several states have already been allotted funds and the process will be complete before 31st of March. Mr. Chidambaram said that CISF act has also been amended to extend security cover to establishments in private, joint and cooperative sectors .He said that sanction has also been issued for site preparation at 30 locations in the country between multi agency center, its state branch and the special branch of police for better coordination between the centre and the states.
He said that every day government receives information and intelligence on threats to our security and these will multiply in run up to general elections. He appealed political parties to share information with the government on notice of any unusual or suspicious activities during the election campaign. Mr. Chidambaram said states have also been asked to remain at high degree of alertness during this period. He said the discussions with the election commission in the deployment of paramilitary forces is over and these forces are being sent to every state for smooth and peaceful conduct of polls.
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