The Hindu : Karnataka News : Siddaramaiah promises steps to deal with naxalite problem

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 05, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Others

Siddaramaiah promises steps to deal with naxalite problem

By Our Staff Correspondent

BELTHANGADY, NOV. 4. The economic backwardness in rural and tribal areas is the main cause for the growth of the naxal movement. Measures will have to be taken to reach the government programmes to the people, the Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, has said.

Participating in a face-to-face programme organised by Nagarika Seva Trust and Dakshina Kannada Parisarasktha Okkuta here today, Mr. Siddaramaiah said it was important for elected representatives to understand the problems of the poor. It was true that many rural people were living in poverty. When they were pushed to the limits by "authoritarian forces," they turned hostile and revolted against the social structure, he said. This could be stopped by empowering them, he added.

He said he had directed the police and the district administration to analyse the problems faced by the tribal youth in the Western Ghats and take action to solve them.

River diversion

Mr. Siddaramaiah said the proposed diversion of the Nethravati was not before the Government as a proposal and he did not subscribe to the idea himself. He said that though there was a dire need to strengthen power supply in the State, mega power projects were being delayed owing to environmental compulsions.

Noting that there was an immediate need to address the problems of four lakh beedi workers, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the issues should be settled in favour of the labourers.

National park

Nobody would be evicted forcibly from the Kudremukh National Park area, he said. The Government would give them various options, which would be honoured, he added.

Others who spoke on the occasion included former MLA and Speaker of the Legislative Council B.L. Shankar; former MLA Vasanth Bangera; and K. Somanatha Nayak, president of Nagarika Seva Trust.

Over 10,000 people attended the programme.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka

News Update

Stories in this Section

Committees formed to check illegal mining, tree felling

Move to bring in ISKCON for meal scheme opposed

Siddaramaiah promises steps to deal with naxalite problem

`Officials failed to brief team on crop loss'

Drama festival inaugurated at Sanehalli

KRRS, DSS factions urged to unite

Liberalisation blamed for closure of mills

Ganesh immersion procession peaceful

Damodar Dixit passes away