Will not tolerate Maoist activities in NE: Chidambaram

Making it clear that there would be no compromise with Maoists trying to destabilise peace in the north east, Home Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday said state governments of the region have been asked to deal with the ultras with a firm hand.

He said the Centre was alive to the situation created by such groups in the region and was taking concrete steps to curb them.

"There will be no compromise with the Maoists trying to destabilise peace in the region and police have been instructed to take stern action," Chidambaram told a press conference in Itanagar on Saturday afternoon.

There was minimal presence of Maoists in the region, he noted and appreciated the steps taken by Assam and Arunachal Pradesh governments to deal with them.

"There is no reason to allow such elements (Maoists) to settle in the region and create disturbances," he said and appealed to the people not to encourage the Maoists.

Chidambaram, accompanied by Union Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh, arrived here this morning on a day-long visit to Arunachal Pradesh and convened a high-level security meeting to review its security situation.