Govt to decide in next few days on review of Salwa Judum order

The Centre will in the next few days decide if it will seek a review of the recent Supreme Court ruling on disbanding Salwa Judum and disarming tribals deployed as SPOs in operations against Maoists, home minister P Chidambaram said on Wednesday.

The Centre will in the next few days decide if it will seek a review of the recent Supreme Court ruling on disbanding Salwa Judum and disarming tribals deployed as Special Police Officers (SPOs) in operations against Maoists, home minister P Chidambaram said on Wednesday.

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Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, Chidambaram said his ministry, in consultation with the law ministry, is examining directions to the central government in the apex court ruling on Salwa Judum.

He said the "very elaborate" Supreme Court ruling gave directions on where SPOs can be engaged and where they cannot. The court also gave directions to Chhattisgarh government as well as the Centre.

"This judgment has far reaching implications. We have to approach this matter with due caution and care," he said.

Asked if central government has decided to seek a review of the decision, he said, "We will take a decision (on it) in the next few days."

The Chhattisgarh government has promulgated an ordinance to absorb the SPOs posted in Maoist areas into the regular police force. The Chhattisgarh Auxiliary Armed Police Force Ordinance, 2011 "is within the legislative powers of the State of Chhattisgarh," the minister said.

The ordinance dealt with one part of the judgment and the larger issue raised was under consideration of the Home Ministry. "A direction has also been given by the Supreme Court to the central government to cease and desist, forthwith, from using any of its funds in supporting, directly or indirectly, the recruitment of SPOs by the state governments for operations against the naxalites," he said.