The Hindu : National : Patil defends dialogue with militants

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004

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National

Patil defends dialogue with militants

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI. DEC. 14. The Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, today defended the United Progressive Alliance Government against charges of Opposition parties that it was following a weak-kneed policy towards militants by initiating a dialogue with them. "It would be wrong to mistake our policy as a sign of weakness. We want to resolve the problems peacefully, but that does not mean that we will lower our guard. State power is an option that can always be exercised," Mr. Patil told the Lok Sabha in the course of his reply to the debate on internal security situation in the country.

The Home Minister sent out a warning to those trying to foment trouble in the country by inciting youth to take up arms. "What they have failed to achieve through wars cannot be achieved through guns or terrorism. We do not react or compromise with terror. They stand to gain much more through a dialogue," Mr. Patil asserted

He said there was nothing wrong in talking to all those who had taken up arms. "We are chips of the same block. Those who do not have access to proper education, employment and food are the ones who generally take to arms. What is the harm in talking to them and making an effort to bring them around?"

Manipur example

He cited the example of Manipur and Andhra Pradesh to underline the fact that the UPA Government's policy was paying dividends. "The genuine grievances of the people are being addressed. A committee has been set up to take a look at the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the situation is fast returning to normal," he claimed. Referring to Andhra Pradesh, the Home Minister said the State Government's decision to open a dialogue with naxalites had brought down the level of violence.

Internal security

Mr. Patil said the internal security situation had improved in the recent past and quoted statistics to buttress his point that incidents of violence and terror had come down. "The situation is much better than what it was some months ago. Of course it can get better."

He said the fencing of the Indo-Pakistan border led to reduction in infiltration.

The key to tackling the problem was speedy development and socio-economic measures. He said his Ministry had taken a series of measures with a view to providing employment to the disaffected youth. " We plan to add 209 additional paramilitary battalions. We have also asked the States to raise additional battalions. This will provide jobs to thousands of youth," he said.

Development schemes

The Government would be providing Rs. 45 crores in the next three years to districts affected by terrorist violence to speed up development process and provide social and economic justice. In Jammu and Kashmir, he said, all efforts were being made to build mini-hydel projects in border areas, to broaden highways and roads, to give fillip to tourism and to establish a railway network and major power projects.

Referring to the naxal problem in Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Patil said the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, had already launched a `food-for-work' programme. Besides, he said, the Planning Commission had been asked to lay special focus on naxalite-affected and remote areas where modern amenities were not adequately available.

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