Chidambaram's resignation issue a closed chapter - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

A day after his offer to resign, which was highlighted in media, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday described issues surrounding it as a closed chapter. On Friday, it was reported that Chidambaram offered to quit following the Dantewada massacre, in which 76 CRPF men killed. "Yes, I did offer to resign. The resignation was indeed tendered. The Prime Minister rejected it. The matter is a closed chapter," Chidambaram said while interacting with the media here. Chidambaram recalled that, as the CRPF is under Home Ministry, he wanted to quit taking moral responsibility. "This tragedy has happened under my watch. Therefore, I said the buck stops at my desk," Chidambaram said. "It does not mean that the State Governments have no role to play in containing Maoist violence," he added. Chidambaram said Tuesday's attack was "indeed a blot" on his score card as Home Minister. Chidambaram asked all State Governments to be fully aware of their responsibility in the anti-Naxal operations. "They have a role, they acknowledge it, recognise, and according to me, all the state governments are fully aware of this responsibility," he said. Chidambaram said the 62nd battalion's exercise was planned by the Chhattisgarh Inspector General of Police and DIG of the CRPF. The State Police Headquarters was aware of the exercise "something went wrong. Something went very badly wrong," he added. He said once the Rammohan Committee gives its report the Centre would initiate corrective measures. "Let the report of the inquiry committee come and we will take corrective action," Chidambaram said. Chidambaram said the Union Home Ministry can only provide additional forces to state governments to help State Police to carry out anti-Naxal operations. "I have said this many times and I have said this three days ago in Jagdalpur that this is our role and State Governments have an important role to play. I think all the Chief Ministers recognise that they have an important role to play," he said.