Former Lok Sabha Speaker and National People’s Party chief P.A. Sangma on Monday said the Chhattisgarh Government should find ‘a political solution’ to the Naxal problem.
“What has happened (the Naxal attack in Bastar on Congress leaders) is very unfortunate and I completely reject this violence, but simultaneously urge the state government as well as the Centre to go into the root-cause of the problem,” he said here.
“As a tribal leader, I appeal (Naxals) to shun violence and come out for a dialogue. The government should find a political solution,” Mr. Sangma said.
Asked about possible impact of Bastar attack on the coming Assembly polls, he said, “Definitely it would have an impact on the Congress as they have lost their top leaders.”
Mr. Sangma also said he was “very much against” using the Army to fight Naxals.
“Their mindset is to fight enemy, not our people. In North-East, it is quite evident that even after deploying Army and imposing AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Power Act), insurgency has seen an upsurge,” he said.
“Tribals were ignored and suppressed. They are accused of being Maoists and Naxalites, hence they are scared to come to the capital (Raipur), which is very bad...there should be an economic package of Rs. 2 lakh crore for the development of fifth schedule areas (listed in the Constitution),” Mr. Sangma said.
He also said that the Third Front will play a key role in coming Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh and will field candidates in all the ninety seats.
The Third Front in the state includes NPP, Chhattisgarh Swabhiman Manch, CPI, CPI(M), Rashtriya Gondwana Gadtantra Party and Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha.
