Addressing a press conference during his day’s visit to Jammu, Mr Chidambaram recalled that he had hinted at a ban on pre-paid mobile connections in the State about two months ago. He said he will leave it to the State Government and service providers to present a plan to the Union Home Ministry reconciling concerns of both security and consumers.
"A fairly secure system has to be adopted as far as issuance of pre-paid mobile connections in the State is concerned. Till such a system is evolved, the carefully taken decision of the Home Ministry to ban the pre-paid connections will stay", he said putting at rest all speculations that a ban on pre-paid mobile telephones was a temporary phenomenon and could be lifted immediately.
The Home Minister’s statement made it categorically clear that the ban on pre-paid mobile phones would stay for a longer period.
Referring to his statement made earlier in the day at a Congress function about governance, Mr Chidambaram observed that he had referred to all States about providing effective governance and good economic activity.
"My statement applied to every State of the country and not Jammu and Kashmir alone", he said in response to a query posed to him about his earlier statement on governance in the State.
"Please don’t raise any controversy. I have not mentioned about a particular State. Effective governance and economic activity is a problem everywhere", he asserted.
Expressing satisfaction with security situation, the Union Home Minister said there were enough security forces to deal with the militants.
"Militancy is at all time low. A number of militants have been neutralised. There have been very high casualties of militants. Killings of security forces and civilians were all time low. Security forces are doing a good job", he said, adding he met Commanders of 9 and 16 Corps, IGP Jammu under whom there are four DIGs and 10 SSPs and he was providing a good leadership to Jammu region in effectively controlling the militancy.
Mr Chidambaram said he was quite impressed by the quality of leadership being provided by security forces in Jammu region including Army, BSF, CRPF and Jammu Police. To a question about bringing all security agencies, working in the State, under one umbrella for effective co-ordination, he added that Unified Command is working quite well and he was fully satisfied with it.
Replying to another question about the report of American agency FBI on Lashkar-e-Toiba’
"Situation is well under control and we are competent enough to meet with any eventuality"
The FBI reported in the morning that two LeT linked militants—David Coleman Headly and Tahawwur Hussain Rana have disclosed that the LeT outfit was planning to target National Defence College.
Mr Chidambaram refused to comment on a question on situation developing across the border. "The situation (prevailing in Pakistan) can’t be discussed in press conference’s.
Denying that there is a spurt in infiltration of militants to the State, the Home Minister asserted that there is a difference between infiltration attempt and actual infiltration.
"Security forces have achieved good success in checking infiltration on the borders. Our forces are in full control of the situation. Intrusion attempts have been fully checked", he said.
To a question that hard-line Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has rejected the offer of quiet talks made by the Home Minister during his last month trip to Kashmir, Mr Chidambaram refused a direct answer but said the Government would remain engaged in quiet dialogue.
He declined comment on another question about the statement of New and Renewable Energy Minister and former Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah that a joint formula could be considered by all political parties to evolve a solution on Kashmir.
"Farooq is our senior Cabinet colleague", was the only remark made by the Home Minister while responding to the question.
He said he reviewed security situation in Jammu division today while situation in Kashmir division was assessed last month. "We are fully satisfied with the situation. It is well within the control".
On yet another question about the problems faced by refugees of Pakistan and PoK, he said this issue was mentioned before him and added that he would see what the Centre could do for them. However, he added, his visit today was primarily aimed that taking a feel of security situation in Jammu and problems of Kashmiri migrants.
Mr Chidambaram asserted that issues like problems of the refugees and raising honorarium of Village Defence Committees (VDCs) or Special Police Officers (SPOs) pertained to the State Government.
To a question about a resolution passed against reciting Vande Mataram by the Muslims in Deoband yesterday by Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind whose meeting was also attended by him, the Home Minister said no resolution was passed during his presence in the conference.
Mr Chidambaram flew back to the Union capital tonight after a day’s visit during which he visited Jagati migrant quarters and met the Kashmiri migrants, reviewed security situation at a high level meeting, addressed Congress workers, met their deputations and attended a wedding.
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