The Hindu : Karnataka News : Police action against naxals to go on

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 11, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Police action against naxals to go on

By Our Staff Correspondent

MYSORE, FEB. 10. The Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, said here on Thursday that there is no question of withdrawing police operations against naxalites though the Government has kept the doors open for talks.

Speaking to presspersons at the helipad on his arrival here to participate in a religious and political convention, Mr. Dharam Singh said the Government has taken note of the growing naxalite activities in the State and is determined to provide security to the people. However, he said that no decision has been taken on deployment of the Special Task Force in areas where naxalite activities are gaining momentum. He said such issues can be resolved through talks, and significant progress has been achieved in States affected by naxalism.

Hence, there is no reason why talks cannot help resolve the issue in Karnataka where naxalism has taken root only in recent times.Mr. Dharam Singh listed Chikmagalur, Udupi and Shimoga as the three districts where naxalism has gained momentum in recent times and said the Government is determined to address the problem that foments such activities.

`No foul play'

Referring to criticisms against the police action on Sunday, in which two naxalites — Saketh Rajan and Shivalingaiah — were shot dead, Mr. Dharam Singh said there was no foul play. He pleaded against attributing motives to the incident and reiterated the Government's commitment to solve the problem through talks. "Even now I am ready for talks," he said.

Commenting on the coming gram panchayat elections, he said the results will not be a barometer of the popularity of the Government, as they are fought on a non-party basis.

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