The Centre is veering towards formulating a unified hostage policy in the country following frequent incidents of abductions by Maoists.
Home minister P. Chidambaram on Monday said a full-fledged discussion with states can only take place once the present hostage crisis in Chhattisgarh is over.
Sukma district collector Alex Paul Menon is being held captive by the Maoists for over a week now. “I think the home secretary has sounded out to his counterparts in the states that we should have a
hostage policy but that can be taken up only when the current hostage situation (in Chhattisgarh) is
resolved,” the home minister said.
Mr Chidambaram also dismissed the suggestion that it was not coordinating with the state governments like it does whenever there is a terrorist attack.
“The situation is handled by the state governments. At the first opportunity, we have told the state government that we are willing to offer any assistance that they may require. We are available for consultation. It is for the state government to handle the situation. And if they ask for assistance we are ready to help,” he said.
Mr Chidambaram said the Centre cannot play a more active role during the hostage crisis unless asked by the state government.
“In a terror strike, the home ministry appears more active since forensic evidence has to be collected, the need to associate the NIA and the need to send central forces to deal with an ongoing terror attack.”
"In a hostage situation, we are active behind the scenes," he said. Mr Chidambaram also refuted suggestions that the Sukma collector had ignored previous warnings and said he was “doing his duty’’.
Mr Chidambaram also said security forces operations also slow down in the Naxal affected states during a hostage situation. The home minister said once the National Counter-Terrorism Centre comes into existence, in the long term the anti-terror body would help the government to deal with hostage situations.
“Yes, I think in the medium to long term, an NCTC would help us deal with such a situation in a better way,” he said.
Mr Chidambaram said he was in regular touch with Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh. “I am happy to know that the collector is safe and the medicines have reached him. We are dealing with them and we have offered them help,” he said.