New Delhi, Dec.1 (ANI): Presenting his ministry’s end of the month report for November 2009, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Tuesday urged people in Jharkhand to turn out in large numbers to exercise their franchise in the state assembly elections, and thus give a fitting reply to the rebel Maoists in the region.

“The highlight of the month was the commencement of the electoral process in Jharkhand. The Legislative Assembly was dissolved on November 1, 2009 and a five-phase election schedule was announced by the CEC. 225 Coys of CPMFs and 85 Coys of various SAPs/IR Bns/Border Wing Home Guards have been deployed in Jharkhand to ensure free and fair elections,” Chidambaram said at a press conference here.

“The CPI (Maoist) has called for a boycott of the elections and has unleashed violence, mostly targeted at school buildings that will house polling stations,” he added.

“The most effective answer that the people of Jharkhand can give to the CPI (Maoist) is to turn out in large numbers and elect candidates of their choice,” Chidambaram said.

Describing the tabling of the English version of the Liberhan Ayodhya Commission of Inquiry Report and the Action Taken Report (ATR) in Parliament on November 24, 2009, as another important development of his ministry for the month of November, he said the government welcomes a debate on it in the week ahead after its translation in Hindi is completed.

He also informed about his visit to Deoband in Uttar Pradesh on November 3, 2009 and his address at the Annual Conference of the Jamiat Ulema e Hind.

Chidambaram revealed that his visit to Jammu on November 4, 2009, was undertaken with the objective of making an “assessment of the implementation of the rehabilitation package for Kashmiri Pandits and of the general security situation.”

He also expressed his happiness over the approval of two proposals for shooting of films in Jammu and Kashmir, saying this was a reflection on the improved security situation in the area.

He welcomed the visit of the European Union’s Troika Mission to the state and its declaration that “Kashmir is an integral part of India.”

The Minister said that after his visit to Jaipur to attend the 20th All India Forensic Science Conference, it was his “intention to pay special attention to Forensic Science Laboratories in the year 2010.”

The visit to Mumbai on November 26, 2009 to participate in a number of events in remembrance of the 26/11 victims was described by him as a solemn occasion and a reminder of what requires to be done to counter terrorism will all the force available at the command of the government, he said.

“On November 29, 2009, Ministry of Home Affairs sponsored a programme at the India Gate Lawns titled “Nation in solidarity against terror.” It was telecast live on many channels,” said Chidambaram.

He thanked the media, especially TV channels, for their support.

He also expressed his pleasure at completing one year in the Home Minister’s office.

“As I complete one year as Home Minister, I am happy to present the 12th monthly report of the Ministry of Home Affairs,” he said. (ANI)