Chidambaram's statement in LS tomorrow

In the wake of the Mumbai terror strikes, Home Minister P Chidambaram will make a statement on terrorism in Lok Sabha on Thursday.

In the wake of the Mumbai terror strikes, Home Minister P Chidambaram will make a statement on terrorism in Lok Sabha on Thursday.

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This was decided at a meeting of leaders of political parties convened by Speaker Somnath Chatterjee on Wednesday.

The meeting decided that soon after the statement by the Home Minister, the House would take up a discussion.

However, there will be no voting at the end of the debate.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said the government was in favour of structured debate on the issue of terrorism.

"There may be some criticism from some quarters but ultimately it will help the government," he said.

The Mumbai terror attacks have evoked strong condemnation from all political parties with the UPA favouring creation of a Federal Investigative Agency and the main opposition BJP demanding a tough POTA-like law to deal with terrorism.

The all-party meeting convened by Chatterjee to ensure smooth running of the House was attended among others by LJP leader and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, BJP leader V K Malhotra and Akali Dal's S S Dhindsa.