BJP calls for concerted strategy to handle Maoist violence

Warning that the Naxal situation is getting out of hands, BJP on Sunday asked the Centre to adopt a concerted and unified strategy to tackle Maoist violence.

“Unless we have a concerted and unified strategy to deal with the problem (Left wing extremism) and the best of coordination among the states and the Centre, the situation seems to be drifting out of hands,” BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.

He was reacting to the kidnapping of a District Collector in Chhattisgarh by the Left-wing ultras.

Targeting Union Home Minister P Chidambaram he said, “Chidambaram is saying that this is a law and order issue. This is not an issue of one state and it is not a law and order matter. It is a national issue.”

Mr. Javadekar said the recent spate of Naxal violence indicates a change in their strategy where they are targeting foreign tourists, political leaders in states and government officials.

“This is really a warning for India. It is an attack on our sovereignty and the government must consider in this perspective. It is a multi-state problem,” he said, adding that the BJP will raise the issue in Parliament.

Assuring that Chhattisgarh government will do its best to have the hostage released, he asked the Central government, “to do it a bit urgently.”

Replying to a question on the statement of Chief Economic Advisor Kaushik Basu that inflation will be brought under control in the next six months, Mr. Javadekar wondered which magic wand he has to do so.

“I don’t know which magic wand he (Basu) has to assure that there will be a respite from inflation. He has said that they are going to fix diesel subsidy. On the one hand, you are planning to raise diesel prices and you are still assuring that there will be respite from inflation on the other. Both don’t work together,” he said.