Peaceful State Assembly elections in three States highlight of October, says Chidambaram

New Delhi, Oct.30 (ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday, while presenting the monthly report of his Ministry, said that the highlight of October was the State Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana and Maharashtra, which remained, by and large, peaceful.

Addressing media persons in the capital, Home Minister Chidambaram said: "The highlight of the month of October, 2009 was the Assembly elections held in the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana and Maharashtra, which he described as, by and large, peaceful. 298 Coys of CPMFs/SAPs/Border Wing Home Guards were deployed for the elections. The sole incident that marred the peace occurred in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, in which 17 personnel of the Maharashtra police were killed. The CPI (Maoist) was responsible for the attack on the police party."hidambaram informed how on October 5, he delivered the sixth Nani Palkivala Memorial Lecture at Mumbai where he appealed to the naxalites to abjure violence and pave the way for the State Governments concerned to talk to them on their demands and include them in the process of development and inclusive growth. "I also appealed to the leaders of civil society to prevail upon the naxalites to abjure violence and take the road of democracy and dialogue," he said.

Talking about his Jammu and Kashmir visit on October 13-14, which was primarily to attend the All India Editor's Conference, Chidambaram informed that he also met the Governor and the Chief Minister of the State. "Following my visit, we have identified a number of issues on which follow up action is being taken by the Central Government and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. We intend to follow up on the promise of "quiet talks, quiet diplomacy" with all shades of political opinion in Jammu and Kashmir."

"A sum of Rs.30 crore was released to Jammu and Kashmir as advance for payment of one-time cash compensation in lieu of appointment in Government service to the next of kin of persons killed by militants. Sanction was issued for release of balance of Rs.5.3 lakh to J AND KAcademy of Art, Culture and Languages, Srinagar," said Chidambaram.

About his Jharkhand visit on Oct. 22, Chidambaram said that he reviewed the development and social welfare schemes of the Government and was briefed on the security situation and the readiness of the State Government to hold elections to the Legislative Assembly and the requirement of police personnel for elections was also discussed. "On my return, the Government recommended the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly of Jharkhand with effect from November 1, 2009. The President of India issued a Presidential order to that effect on October 23, 2009. The Election Commission of India has since announced that elections will be held between November 25 and December 18, 2009."

On the issue of Disaster Relief, Chidambaram mentioned that on Oct. 5, he accompanied the UPA Chairperson, and the Andhra radesh Chief Minister and the Karnataka Chief Minister, respectively on an aerial survey of the flood affected areas of ndhra Pradesh and Karnataka. "The Prime Minister also visited Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Following the Prime Minister's isit, the Government announced an advance of Rs.1000 crore each to the two States from the NCCF. Central teams have been ispatched to the two States to make an assessment of the damage due to the floods and submit their reports," Chidambaram nformed. (ANI)