The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Tackling insurgency

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Thursday, Feb 18, 2010
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Tackling insurgency

The Maoist attack on a security camp at Silda, West Bengal, that killed 24 jawans, is a clear pointer to the danger posed by the insurgents to internal security. The attack has brought to the fore many disturbing facts. The security personnel were not trained in the Standard Operating Procedure and the rifles and firearms were not within the reach of the jawans when the attack took place. The growing Maoist menace is the result of the failure of governments to enhance the security system. It is important to take effective steps to employ the latest cutting-edge technologies to strengthen security.

P. Senthil Saravana Durai,

Tuticorin

* * *

Maoist violence can be tackled by adopting a two-pronged approach - of ensuring development and removing social and economic disparities, and using force in a controlled manner against those who obstruct development work. The government still considers naxalism a security issue and its strategy revolves round that thinking. By posting more security personnel without giving them adequate training, logistics and intelligence network will not yield anything. On the other hand, the situation will worsen as the root cause of the problem remains unaddressed.

Kanishk Singh,

New Delhi

* * *

It is not difficult for the government to eliminate Maoists but it is not taking the extreme action because they are our fellow countryman. The rebels should not forget this reality. The problem has assumed such alarming proportions because some sections, including tribals, are placed very low on the development ladder. It is important to focus on the socioeconomic development of the most backward sections for naxalism to be defeated.

S.V.K. Chandran,

Thiruvananthapuram

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