The Hindu : National : Manmohan: States must face the challenge

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 14, 2006

National

National

Manmohan: States must face the challenge

Special Correspondent

"Function as a cohesive team"

NEW DELHI : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said factors such as exploitation, artificially depressed wages, iniquitous socio-political circumstances, inadequate employment opportunities, lack of access to resources, under-developed agriculture, geographical isolation and lack of land reforms contributed to the growth of naxalite movement.

He was addressing the second meeting of the Standing Committee of the Chief Ministers of the six affected States.

He reiterated the need for four-point action plan — strengthening the local police and providing incentives to attract the best police personnel to fight the menace; setting up specialised forces on the lines of Andhra Pradesh's `Greyhounds'; effective intelligence gathering and coordination among States; and setting up unified commands.

Dr. Singh asked the Chief Ministers to function as a "cohesive team" and work on a war-footing to meet the challenge of naxalism.

While favouring effective police response against violence by naxalites, the Prime Minister pointed out that it did not mean that "we need to brutalise the Indian State."

Legitimate needs and aspirations, even if set out in procedurally or presentationally inappropriate terms, should be examined with care and sympathy, he said.

"We are dealing, after all, with our own people, even though they may have strayed into the path of violence. What we need is an intelligent, effective police response done quietly and discreetly."

The Prime Minister was interacting with the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Orissa and Bihar.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Home Secretary V.K. Duggal were also present.

The Chief Ministers met the Prime Minister at his residence prior to the meeting.

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