Don't panic, polling will be peaceful: Chidambaram

April 2, 2009 - 0 comments

New Delhi, April 2 -- Amid reports of terrorist threats to politicians in the run up to and during the general elections, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said Thurdsay there was no need for any panic or alarm and assured that the government was taking all measures to ensure peaceful polls.

"There is no need for any panic. There is no need for any alarm," Chidambaram told reporters here.

"We have deployed enough security forces in the run up to the elections. We have taken all measures that are required to ensure polling takes place peacefully," he said.

Chidambaram linked the terrorist threat in India to the deteriorating security situation in South Asia, especially in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"We have to be on our guard," he said, urging the media to separate the wheat from the chaff and focus on real issues like coastal security, communal harmony and peace.

The minister also underlined the need for unity to fight terrorism. A country divided on religious and caste lines couldn't fight terrorism, he said, claiming that only the Congress could fight terrorism without dividing the country.

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