Raman Singh Says Naxals Biggest Terrorists

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has described Naxals as the biggest terrorists and stressed that there cannot be a ‘soft line’ to tackle Maoists though he didn’t favour the use of air power to fight the menace, said media reports.

Singh attributed the recent incidences of Maoist violence to frontal operations by the security forces in the state and favoured a long-term joint action plan with the Centre to tackle the problem, reports said.

The chief minister is presently in Delhi to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and deputy chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

Detailing Naxal activities in Chhattisgarh in last 10 years, he said that rebels have so far killed over 1000 civilians and more than 650 policemen besides blowing up 132 electric towers, 106 school buildings and three hospitals in the state, said reports.

“Who else can be termed as terrorists. They are the biggest terrorists….Naxalism is a biggest challenge to democracy. They want to capture power at gunpoint,” the chief minister was quoted as saying.

“There cannot be a softline (towards Naxals)…What have we achieved in the last 60 years by adopting a softline?” he was quoted as asking.

Besides, he disfavoured using air power saying ‘it is not possible to go for bombing in those areas which are covered by dense forest. The army helicopter can be used only for rescue and relief operations’, reports said.

In response to a query about the use of air power, he said, “Bombing a village is not possible. You have the tribals staying there.”

Singh said that the ‘real face’ of Maoists has been exposed, said reports.

“They are blowing up infrastructure facilities like railway stations and electric lines. What kind of revolution are they talking about,” Singh was quoted as saying.

(Based on internet reports)