The paramilitary forces are not engaged in any “battle” in the naxal-affected States, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said on Monday. “The Centre, at the request of the State governments, sends paramilitary forces, which remain under the control of the State governments,” he said at a press conference here.
Thirty-three districts remained seriously affected by naxal violence and Maoists were present in 50 others. “There are areas where the writ of civil administration does not run. The security forces are there only to re-establish the authority of the civilian government.”
Mr. Chidambaram said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would decide upon the question of reorganising the Home Ministry. And there was no “forward movement” after he proposed a new security architecture in December. “But I would like to delegate more non-internal security work to the two Ministers of State. This is purely an internal reorganisation of the Ministry.”
The National Counter Terrorism Centre would be formed by this year-end.
There was not any discussion on the role of the National Security Adviser, who advises the Prime Minister. “It is for the Prime Minister to entrust the NSA with any responsibility,” he said.
