New Delhi: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram
today said cross-border terrorism was not just limited to
Pakistan but has now "reached a few Middle Eastern countries".
He said the definition of cross-border terrorism has
changed and terrorism of "jehadi variety is really
cross-border terrorism."
"Terrorism of the jehadi variety is really cross border
terrorism. Even the definition of cross-border terrorism has
... no longer does it cross our border and go into Pakistan.
It goes beyond Pakistan. It now reaches a few middle eastern
countries," Chidambaram said at a book release function here.
Speaking about the internal security threats, he said
"terrorism of the jehadi variety is just one of kind of
terrorism in our country." He said there are examples of
terrorism sponsored by by "other religious groups,
particularly extreme right-wing Hindu religious group."
He said besides the cross-border terrorism, there is
also terrorism driven by fundamentalist groups within Muslims
Hindus and Sikhs here.
He said containing cross-border terrorism was difficult
compared to Northeast insurgency issues or Naxalism.
"I believe that the problem of insurgency in the
Northeast is within our control. By and large it is a problem
that we can contain, control and resolve.
"Likewise Maoism or Naxalism is also within our control.
We are still debating how to control it. Debate is a good
thing."
Talking about the government policy in tackling Naxalism,
he completely ruled out the use of Army or the Air Force.
"Policy is not driven only by hard assessments. It is
also driven by ethical considerations. We are quite clear that
we cannot or ought not to use Army or Air Force. We may have
the capacity to do so but we ought not to do so," Chidambaram
said.
The Minister also said there are ethical considerations
and all governments want to be re-elected.
PTI
