Mr Chidambaram expressed the hope that agreements will be reached with many of the insurgent groups in the North-East this year to bring them into the mainstream of politics. The Home Minister said that most insurgent groups are in talks with the government or poised to start the talks. He said that the North East saw the lowest level of violence last year in many years and there has been a dramatic change in the situation.
The Home Minister said that there has also been significant improvement in the law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir after the visit of all-party Parliamentary delegation and appointment of interlocutors. He said that the interlocutors have been able to change the discourse and persuade a number of stake holders to offer suggestions for a political solution. The interlocutors had visited the state for a week from 17th of last month during which they met a number of leaders of mainstream political parties as well as 130 delegations in the state.
The Home Minister has said that there is some progress in investigations into Samjhauata blast case. The National Investigation Agency is probing the blast in Sammjhauata train on 17th of February in 2008 which left 68 people dead.
Mr. Chidambaram said that the crime situation has dramatically improved in Delhi and policing has improved significantly. Quoting from figures, Mr. Chidambaram said that the incidents of crime have come down.
Mr. Chidambaram said, the Department of Telecommunication and Home Ministry are working together to put in place a mechanism to intercept and monitor 3G transaction services where it becomes necessary on grounds of national security.
Allaying fears, the Home Minister said, the idea is not to interrupt or delay 3G services but allow them to go forward even when the monitoring mechanisms are being put in place.
Ahead of the meeting on Telangana issue, the Mr. P. Chidambaram expressed the hope that representatives of all the eight parties will participate in the discussions on Thursday.
The meeting has been convened following the submsision of the Srikrishna Report to the government. The BJP and the TRS have said that they will not participate in the meeting.
Replying to a question, Mr. Chidambaram said, the government will provide assistance to the wife of Binayak Sen who has been convicted of sedition if she has any genuine apprehensions about her safety.