The Hindu : National : Little consensus on tackling naxalism: Raman Singh

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 06, 2006

National

National

Little consensus on tackling naxalism: Raman Singh

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Tuesday said the biggest obstacle in countering the naxal menace in the State was the lack of political clarity and consensus on tackling it.

Speaking at the Chief Ministers' meeting with the Prime Minister on internal security, he said it was high time that a national policy or national action plan was evolved to fight naxalism.

Expert panel

He said the best way to proceed would be to set up an expert committee for suggesting ways and means to fight the menace. The expert committee could include representatives of armed forces, paramilitary, Home Ministry, Intelligence Bureau and State police.

Mr. Singh said an integrated strategy or action plan, with proper coordination amongst affected States to fight naxalism, was also needed.

Not good enough

He said the present "battalion approach" was not good enough to seriously contain increasing naxalite influence. Inter-State policing of border areas was required to quell the menace, as naxalites use them as safe haven.

Mr. Singh stressed the increasing use of technology as a force multiplier to fight naxalism. He requested the Prime Minister to provide state-of-the-art technology to increase the State police's efficiency.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National