I gave police free hand to fight Maoists: Rajnath

Recalls that as CM, he gave a free hand to police to deal with Maoists

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here on Wednesday that during his tenure as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister from 2000 to 2002, he had given a free hand to police officers to deal with Maoists and assured them that they would not be hassled by the Human Rights Commission.

The Minister was speaking at the concluding function of the 33rd national conference of the heads of police training institutes.

Mr. Singh said the Union government was ready with a policy to deal with Maoism, terrorism and insurgency. He had brainstormed with current and retired officers and prepared a comprehensive plan. He sought suggestions from the heads of police training academies and police officers.

“There has been a drastic change in situation since Independence. There are challenges of terrorism, Maoism and insurgency and to meet these challenges. I invite your suggestions on our website,” he said.

“I remember when I was Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, a huge region was reeling under the threat of Maoism, and many officers had been killed. I asked all senior police officers to accept this challenge,” he said.

The officers then told him that they were ready to face Maoists, but they faced challenges from political leaders and the Human Rights Commission, which put them in the dock, asked all sorts of questions and harassed them. They said that they faced a huge problem because of that.

“I believed in them and told them that they shouldn’t worry. If I have to face the Human Rights Commission, then as the Chief Minister of the State, I will face them, but won’t let the police officers face the commission,” the Home Minister said.

Asking police officers to respect their uniform, Mr. Singh said their motto should be to provide security to all citizens, irrespective of religion and class.