Naxal violence, threat to security: Advani

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MARCH. 12. The Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, today said naxalite violence was the major threat to internal security, next to cross-border terrorism. ``This was proved in the killing of the Andhra Pradesh Panchayati Raj Minister, A. Madhava Reddy, in a landmine explosion,'' he said.

Speaking at the Raising Day celebrations of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) here, Mr. Advani said, ``We have seen naxalite activities in West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, and, hence the paramilitary forces have to be fully prepared to face the threats''.

The Centre had called a meeting of Chief Ministers and Director- Generals of Police of States affected by the naxalite menace for April 3 to discuss and chalk out strategies to deal with naxalite violence.

Lauding the role played by the CISF since its inception in 1969, Mr. Advani said in the face of a recalcitrant neighbour in Pakistan, which after losing three wars had adopted a ``strategy of terrorism'' for the last two decades, India would have to now accept the challenge to maintain peace within its boundaries.

``It is my assessment that Kargil happened because in 1997 and 1998, the number of tourists visiting Kashmir increased. This was a sort of defeat for Pakistan's proxy war and to make up for that they resorted to intrusions in Kargil,'' Mr. Advani said.

He said that after the IA plane hijack, the Government had decided to enhance the purview of the CISF bringing eight domestic airports under its security cover. In addition, the CISF Act had been amended so as to allow the force to provide consultancy services to companies in the private sector.

The CISF Director-General, Mr. Trinath Mishra, said the force would accomplish all these tasks efficiently.

Mr. Mishra said many personnel feel disillusioned, at times, as miscreants nabbed by them were often released by the local police. This ``adversely affected'' their morale. He urged the Home Minister to bring the CISF employees under a special pool while they were posted in Delhi for allotment of accommodation.

Earlier, Mr. Advani inspected a guard of honour. He also presented gallantry medals.

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