Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said here on Monday that the government will deal with the Maoist threat strongly.
He was speaking after an all-party meeting convened to discuss the matter.
All political parties were united against the Maoists. The presence of Maoists had been detected in the tribal areas of Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram districts. The police were ready to deal with any eventuality. No violence by Maoists had been reported so far in the State, and there was no need for concern, Mr. Chennithala said.
The meeting had decided to launch strong campaigns and awareness programmes in tribal areas where the Maoists were trying to build pockets influence, he said.
The government would take the lead in addressing the problems of tribespeople, he said. Asked whether action would be taken to solve alienation of tribal lands, the Minister said the government would adopt a multi-pronged strategy.
The meeting discussed the need to regulate agitations in front of the Secretariat and on M.G. Road. All political parties had agreed to consider a proposal drawn up by the government. Political parties had accepted restrictions on holding meetings on roadsides. Protests would be avoided in front of the Secretariat up to 11 a.m. To regulate the protests further, the government would draw up a proposal after considering court verdicts and legal issues and try to arrive at a consensus, he said.
The preliminary talks on Monday were a success as the parties had agreed to discuss how the hardships to the public on account of the agitations could be reduced, Mr. Chennithala said.
