Doors for dialogue with extremists must be kept open: Sonia

December 19, 2010 01:23 pm | Updated November 17, 2021 03:24 am IST - New Delhi

Voicing concern over spiralling extremist violence, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi today said while such elements need to be combated, the doors for dialogue must remain open and the prospect of “political accommodation” should be kept alive.

She also made it clear that the efforts of forces operating from across the border to spread terror in the country would be fought with determination including in Jammu and Kashmir, where the government has appointed interlocutors to give “new energy and focus” to the political process.

“We are confronted with terrorist groups in Jammu and Kashmir. In a number of states, Naxalites are using violent methods to undermine the basis of the democratic system. In parts of northeast, militant groups disturb peace,” the Congress President said addressing the party plenary in Burari here.

While these elements have to be combated with “all the means at our command, the door of dialogue has to be kept open and the prospect of political accommodation kept alive in the troubled spots,” Ms. Gandhi said.

In J&K, there was a need to address “the alienation of the whole new generation of youth that has known nothing but conflict”. At the same time, Ms. Gandhi said security forces were facing a difficult situation with courage and fortitude.

“The political process must get new energy and focus.

That is what our government has sought to do by appointing interlocutors,” she said.

Citing the recent bomb blast in Varanasi, Ms. Gandhi said this has reminded that the vigil cannot be relaxed. “Let there be absolutely no doubt about our determination to confront those elements and organisations who operate from across the border to spread terror, to destroy our social fabric and weaken us economically“.

In the Naxal—affected areas, the Congress President emphasised the need to resolve issues of daily concern to tribal communities, particularly the loss of land and livelihood and the absence of even the minimum basic services.

“This must go on hand—in—hand with upgrading police capabilities and effectiveness,” she said.

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