P Chidambaram on Kashmir: ‘Govt should weigh its options and choose the most effective one. Congress will support it’

Undoubtedly, the first thing is to launch a massive manhunt for the terrorists and apprehend them. Secondly, as this appears to be a case of the failure of local intelligence sources, the government should thoroughly review the readiness of local sources to provide information to the police and security personnel. It is difficult to police such a vast country or a sensitive state in the absence of local information/intelligence.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has called the attack a direct assault on the Indian State and demanded a befitting response. What do you think can be done?

It is for the government to weigh their options and choose the most effective one. The Congress will support the government’s decision.

The Congress has asked the government to convene an all-party meeting on the attack. What does the party plan to suggest in the meeting, if it is called?

The Congress president (Kharge) said the all-party meeting should be convened after all the information and facts are gathered. The Congress will offer its views on the basis of the facts and information collected.

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday spoke of the need to build a broad social consensus against terror. Do you think there is a lack of internal domestic consensus on terror?

There is a very wide consensus on fighting terror. However, there may be a few people who support violent actions. Violence, if condoned, will create conditions favourable for terrorist acts. We must oppose terror and violence everywhere.

The Congress has been repeatedly demanding that the Centre restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. Do you think restoration of statehood will stabilise the security situation in the Union Territory?

The restoration of statehood is a separate issue but is absolutely necessary. Not restoring it breeds resentment. However, it has nothing to do with terrorist incidents. If statehood is restored, the first responsibility will lie with the state government and that may help in fighting terrorists.