Naxalism country's enemy No. 1: Chidambaram

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today called the Naxal menace as the country's "first enemy".

Addressing a public meeting here, Chidambaram said: "Naxalism is the first enemy of the country."

However, he, expressed confidence that the government would overcome the challenge thrown by Naxalites over the next couple of years.

On Sunday, during a visit to Lalgarh in West Bengal Chidambaram termed the Maoists cowards.

"Naxals are cowards. Why are they hiding in forests? We have invited them for talks, but after they abjure violence. If they really want development, if they really want to solve the problems of the people, they are welcome to talk,” Chidambaram said.

Chidambaram made a fresh offer of talks to the Maoists.

Calling Pakistan the "centre of terrorism" Chidambaram said all terrorist activities, whether in Afghanistan or US, have their roots in Pakistan.

Chidambaram defended the huge budgetary allocation for defence sector, saying it is inevitable, as both Pakistan and China are treating India as their enemy.

"Pakistan is training terrorists and allowing them to infiltrate into India and is trying to drive a wedge between Muslims and Hindus in the country," he said.

“Whenever we want to talk to Pakistan, we have to talk about terrorism, but that country frowns upon the idea," Chidambaram added.