South Asia duty bound to end jihadi terrorism jointly: Indian Home Minister Chidambaram

Saying that the Maldives too is affected by jihadi terrorism amongst many others in the region, India’s Home Minister P. Chidambaram urged South Asia to end this menace jointly.

“With the serious threat of jihadi terrorism centred around Pakistan and Afghanistan and also affecting Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives,” Chidambaram was quoted as saying in Press Trust of India. “South Asia is, therefore, duty bound to work together to end the menace.”

The Home Minister’s comment came whilst speaking of the Maoist issue in India.

Indian government Friday said it “has the legitimate right to use as much force as necessary to regain control of areas dominated by the Maoists and made it clear that talks with it could only take place if the ultras abjured violence,” PTI reported.

However, Chidambaram termed naxalism as a "graver problem" than jihadi terrorism, according to PTI and “vowed to effectively tackle the threat from Maoists, who have declared a war against the Indian state, before the term of the government ends.”
“Chidambaram said the goal of the Maoists was armed liberation struggle and the sole purpose was to seize power,” PTI added.

- Asian Tribune -