Southern States - Karnataka   

Central help to be sought to counter naxal campaign

By Our Special Correspondent

GULBARGA Nov. 30. The Home Minister, Mallikarjun Kharge, has said that the State Government proposes to seek a financial package from the Centre for initiating developmental activities in the backward areas to prevent the people there from being influenced by naxalite groups.

He told The Hindu here today that the State Government did not want to treat the Naxalite activities in some villages bordering Andhra Pradesh in Raichur, Gulbarga, Bidar, and Tumkur districts and in interior districts such as Udupi, Chikmagalur, parts of Hassan, and other areas as a mere law and order problem. The Government wanted to handle the problem differently by identifying the reasons which swayed people in these areas to accept the doctrine of violence preached by the naxalites.

Mr Kharge said one of the major reasons for naxalites gaining entry into these areas, which did not have a history of naxalite activities, was the lack of basic facilities and employment opportunities. To develop the backward areas and provide all the basic needs of the people was not a simple task and could not be handled by the State Government alone. The Centre's participation in taking up development activities through a special economic package for these areas was necessary. The State Government would take up the matter with the Centre and persuade it to lend a helping hand to tackle the naxalite problem once and for all.

On its part, the State Government would provide adequate financial support for the special development schemes proposed to be launched in the affected areas to provide basic amenities. The allocation, which would not be part of the normal budgetary expenditure, would be made in the next State Budget. The Government would also take up a mass campaign in the affected areas explaining the pitfalls in succumbing to extremist ideas. It would also highlight the measures taken by the Government to solve the problems of the people living in those areas.

Shoba Yatra

On the proposed Shoba Yatra proposed to be taken out by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal as part of the Datta Jayanthi celebrations in Bababudangiri in Chikmagalur district, Mr. Kharge said the Government was not interested in preventing people from offering prayers as part of the Datta Jayanthi celebrations at Datta Peetha. The status quo would be maintained.

However, the Government would not remain a mute spectator if any attempt was made to disturb the peace during the celebrations or whip up communal passions in the State.

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