New Delhi, Dec. 17 : Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has termed Chattisgarh's anti-naxalite group, 'Salva Judum' as a non-state actor.

Replying to queries during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Chidambaram said the Centre is not in favour of "non-state" actors taking the job of law enforcement into their hands.

"We are not in favour of non-state actors taking law enforcement in their hands," he said.

"Law and order and law enforcement is the responsibility of the state government and we do not approve of non-state actors taking over the responsibility," he added, while replying to a question put up by the CPI's D. Raja.

He, however, refused to go into legality of the group, saying the matter was before the Supreme Court.

Salwa Judum (translates as Purification hunt), is a counter-Naxalite vigilant group which was launched in the state's Dantewada district in 2005. It has led to forcible displacement of people throughout Bhairamgarh, Geedam and Bijapur areas in the state, under police and administrative supervision.

According to official estimates approximately 15,000 people from 420 villages are living as refugees in temporary camps.

"Salwa Judum was an organisation which apparently had the support of the state government and Centre had nothing to do with it," Chidambaram said.(ANI)