The government on Friday admitted that violence in the country was still at an unacceptably high level and reminded militant groups that only talks can bring solution to their problems.

Home Minister P Chidambaram said at a press conference in New Delhi that militant groups will be brought into mainstream through judicious mix of police action. Asked what will be his priority in the New Year, Mr. Chidambaram said in 2012, capacity building will continue to be focus for another 3 years.

The Home Minister said the July 13 bomb blast in Mumbai and September 7 explosion outside Delhi High Court were a stern reminder that terrorist modules continue to be active in the country. He said 2011 has been a satisfactory year with many achievements but some setbacks. Capacity building in the future would have to take note of technological advances and incorporate new technology into the security architecture, he added.

The Home Minister said that his ministry is working on several key legislations that include Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill, Prevention of Torture Bill and amendment to Sexual Offences Act and hoped these would be approved by Parliament in 2012.

Asked whether there was any progress on the Telangana issue, he said the Telugu Desam Party has not conveyed its decision on the issue yet and hoped that when an all party meeting would be convened, the regional party would express its view.

Asked about the recent controversy over the withdrawal of three cases against a Delhi-based hotelier, Chidambaram said his Ministry has issued a directive to all officers saying that when a draft is being prepared and finalised with a note that this issue has the approval of the Home Minister or Home Secretary, the draft must be put to either of the two.