Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: Home Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday said New Delhi has agreed in-principle to allow a Pakistani Commission probing 26/11 attacks to visit India, on the condition that Islamabad allows India to send a team there to question some suspects in the terror attack case.
Addressing his monthly press conference, he said India has asked Pakistan to allow a team to question some people there suspected to be involved in the 26/11 Mumbai carnage.
“In return, India has agreed to send a team to Pakistan and question some suspects in 26/11 case. However, we are still awaiting an answer for the question that we have put forth,” the minister said.
"It does not mean one way or the other. We will take a view once we get a final and firm answer," the Home Minister added.
He further said that the documentary evidence which Pakistan wanted from India will be provided to them in the next few days.
Addressing the monthly briefing, Chidambaram touched upon a number of national issues.
Reacting to a question on the handling of the recent hostage crisis in Orissa and the swapping deal with the Maoists, the Home Minister said, “It is not important whether the Centre agrees or disagrees with Orissa government’s move. It was indeed a sensitive matter. The matter was handled by the state government and it has handled it to the best of its ability. It was an appropriate decision in the difficult situation. We respect their decision,” he said.
Pointing to the intra-party clashes in West Bengal, the Home Minister termed the law and order situation in the state “unsatisfactory”. However, he added that the law and order is a state subject.
Chidambaram also announced the deployment of 100 companies of central paramilitary forces for the forthcoming Assembly Elections in the state.
On the Telengana issue, the Home Minister said the government is considering the recommendations of the Sri Krishna committee. “It is only when all parties are ready to come and give their views then I can call a meeting,” Chidambaram said.
On the issue of insurgency in North East, the Home Minister said the government has already begun talks with nine insurgents groups including ULFA to restore peace in the region.
“We are hopeful for a positive outcome,” he added.
Chidamabaram dismissed the allegations of Kerala CM VS Achuthanandan that PMO and Home Ministry lied on his communication to the centre demanding a ban on lotteries. "That is rubbish,” he said.
