P Chidambaram's path to tackle terror correct: Sushil kumar Shinde

NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Sushil kumar Shinde tonight said the strategy adopted by his predecessor P Chidambaram to counter terror threat in the wake of 26/11 strike in Mumbai was "proper" but left the doors open for improvement.

"I feel the path pursued by my predecessor in the wake of Mumbai attack was the proper one," he told reporters adding the government would continue the policies.

He said if there was any need for making improvement, the same would be done after discussions in relevent forums.

On Maoist problem, Shinde said the issue of Naxalism cannot be tackled overnight and needed concerted efforts by the Centre and the states to address the problems that gave rise to the menace.

Shinde said the Maoist problem has been in the country since early 1960s and to tackle it the Prime Minister has been emphasising on the problem of rehabilitation of tribals and issue of land ownership.

Dismissing suggestions that his approach would be soft in tackling the Maoist menace, he said he has seen the problem as Maharashtra Chief Minister in Gadchiroli district.

Asked whether he would keep on hold the controversial issue of NCTC which faced strong opposition from several states including UPA ally Trinamool Congress, Shinde said Chidambaram had initiated some steps to address the concerns of the states.

"We are living in a federal structure. Our structure is not unitary. There may be governments of various parties in the states. Party and politics has its own place. The nation belongs to all. We should together save our nation," he said.

Shinde, who started as a police sub-inspector in Maharashtra, said since he has risen from the ranks, the welfare of police was in his heart and he would strive to give results on issues like housing and their salary as also modernisation of police forces.