Says CG among two most affected naxal-hit states
Raipur, November 15, 2011
Naxal-violence has sharply declined in Chhattisgarh in past two years. Still, it is among two most Maoist-affected states in India. In fact, it accounts over one quarter of the total naxal violence across the length and breadth of the country. Union Home Minister P Chidambaram imparted this information while he was talking to media persons after holding a significant meeting on naxal issue with Chief Minister Raman Singh, top government officials and DG CRPF Vijaykumar at Mantralaya on Tuesday.
“Despite Maoist-violence marked in 85 police station areas of 11 districts in 2010, the dip in extremism is perceptible. There could be tactical reasons behind naxals refraining from encounters, however we will be vigilant. Rather, it is important not to take eye from the ball,” said Chidambaram.
Terming Maoism the gravest threat to internal security, he said it would take time to eradicate the problem. “The Centre and state governments would have to remain focused and work together to deal the problem,” he said.
“By far, the Centre has extended full support to all the states to deal naxalism. We have never flinched from the support. Now action must come from the states,” he added.
“We have equally provided ample forces to Chhattisgarh government to tackle the naxal menace. We have provided 135 companies to the state till now. Besides, the Centre has spent Rs 550 crores on 10 districts of the state in past two years,” he said.
“The state too is rapidly filling the vacant police posts and has virtually doubled the recruitments from 24000 to 54000 in two years. Still there are 9000 more vacant posts which would be mandatorily filled by March 2012,” he said.
The minister further informed that he had held long discussion with the CM and the officials regarding the progress of anti-naxal operations.
“We have identified some areas which require additional help. In these areas, we will open 75 police stations at the rate of Rs two crore each. By December 2011, the government will complete the tendering procedures for the new police stations and by February 2012 the project will start. The deadline to complete the project will be 12-15 months,” Chidambaram said.
“We have also identified two state highway projects to be completed soon – Jagdalpur-Ponda and Jagdalpur-Bhopalpatnam,” he added.
The minister said he had give free hand to the government to accomplish task of the road construction and other development works through police department if the contractors escape or show reluctance to continue the projects. “We have set target to finish 65 percent of the works by December 2011 and hundred percent by March 2012,” he said.
Chidambaram regretted that social organisations and learned people rarely come forward to make tribals aware about the after-effects of naxalism. “The naxals do not respect human rights but these things are not highlighted either in media or courts,” he said.
When asked his take on reports of Essar funding Maoists, the minister said such practices were condemnable. However, he said it was an affair to be dealt by the state not Centre.
Result cannot come in one year: CM
Raipur, November 15, 2011
Chief Minister Raman Singh said that anti-naxal operation was a continuous process and the result won't come in one year. “It will certainly take time. Despite all problems, we have increased our police strength from 24000 to 54000. Paramilitary forces are doing good job and coordinating with the state police to tackle Maoists,” he said. The CM felt that for effective result better Centre-state coordination would be required.
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