Adequate security arrangement for polls, says Chidambaram

New Delhi, Apr 2(PTI) Assuring the country of a peaceful
election, Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram Thursday said
adequate security arrangements have been made and the reported
threat to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Pilibhit candidate
Varun Gandhi is being "exaggerated."

"There is no need for any alarm. We have taken all
measures and placed enough security forces in all states. The
security situation is much better," he told reporters here.

Noting that there is a heightened level of security
alertness with elections around the corner, the Home Minister
said, "in the last two weeks our security forces have
nutralised intrusions and every peace of intelligence is being
acted upon."

Asked about the security threat to Varun Gandhi, he said
it was based on interrogation of a person who was arrested in
Mangalore. "It is being exaggerated."

"I have received a letter from Varun Gandhi. The security
agency has been asked to assess the security requirement... he
will be provided security as he is a BJP candidate," he said.

On his meeting with BJP prime ministerial candidate L K
Advani at the latter's residence this morning, he said, it was
only to discuss the security arrangements for the leader.

"It is important to visit him in deference of his
position and age," Chidambaram said.

The Indian Home Minister lashed at the BJP for defending
Varun Gandhi on the alleged hate speech episode.

"How come the BJP, without subjecting the CD (containing
Varun speech) to forensic analysis, claimed that it is
doctored," Chidambaram asked.

On the security situation in Orissa, especially in
Kandhamal district which was rocked by communal violence last
year, Chidambaram said the state has been provided with
adequate paramilitary forces and also a chopper.

He said the central forces will remain in Orissa during
and after the elections.

"Naveen Patnaik has assured me that with the forces given
to him, he will maintain peace. I have no doubt that he knows
his responsibility and will discharge the same," he said. PTI