We’re open to talks with Kashmir separatists: PC

Union home minister P Chidambaram on Friday disclosed that the channels of communication with some of the separatist groups in J&K were still open and there was a possibility of negotiation with them in the new year if they came forward for dialogue.

Union home minister P Chidambaram on Friday disclosed that the channels of communication with some of the separatist groups in J&K were still open and there was a possibility of negotiation with them in the new year if they came forward for dialogue.

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“If they are ready for talks, we are ready for talks," said Chidambaram during his monthly press conference. He informed that the cabinet committee on security (CCS) has been briefed once on the report of three interlocutors for the state. The CCS has asked for a longer briefing which will hopefully happen in January.

After that the report will be made public.

He was asked whether BJP's boycott of him in the Parliament is embarrassing, he said, “No, it saves me a lot of energy, I suppose”.

Asked about the recent controversy over the withdrawal of three cases against a Delhi-based hotelier, Chidambaram said a directive has been issued to all officers saying that when a draft is being prepared and finalised with a note that this issue has the approval of the home minister or home secretary, the draft must be put to either of the two.

He also disagreed with the rejection of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Bill by a Parliamentary standing committee and supported the UIDAI mandate to issue the unique identification number. The home minister said the only point of difference between UIDAI and RGI was who will capture the biometrics.

On internal security, he said there were inputs that terrorists from across the border could be planning some action in the country. Therefore an alert has been sounded in all Pakistan bordering states that included Punjab where assembly elections are coming up.