Date:06/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/06/stories/2006090608951200.htm

National

More stringent laws needed to tackle naxalism: Chauhan

Special Correspondent

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh

NEW DELHI: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan on Tuesday demanded that the amount sanctioned under the National Backward District initiative should be trebled from the present Rs. 45 crore and laws made more stringent while dealing with naxalites.

Participating in a meeting of Chief Ministers with the Prime Minister on Internal Security, he said that four districts of the State— Balaghat, Mandla, Dindori and Sidhi— were affected by naxalite-related problems.

In Anuppur, Shahdol and Umaria too naxalites have become active, he said.

"Surgical strike" needed

Stressing that naxalism could not be regarded merely as a law and order problem, he said it would have to be tackled at an ideological as well as developmental level. He felt that a "surgical strike" with the help of the Indian Air Force, an inter-state force and a special centre in Nagpur would go a long way in combating the menace.

The Chief Minister also referred to the nexus between drug traffickers and the crime world and said it was on the rise in the Malwa region of the State.

``Biggest obstacle''

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said the biggest obstacle in countering the naxal menace in the State was the lack of political clarity and consensus on tackling it. He said it was high time that a national policy or national action plan was evolved to fight naxalism.

He said the best way to proceed would be to set up an expert committee for suggesting ways and means to fight the menace. The expert committee could include representatives of armed forces, paramilitary, Home Ministry, Intelligence Bureau and State police.

Mr. Singh said an integrated strategy or action plan, with proper coordination amongst affected States to fight naxalism, was also needed.

Not good enough

He said the present "battalion approach" was not good enough to seriously contain increasing naxalite influence. Inter-State policing of border areas was required to quell the menace, as naxalites use them as safe haven.

Mr. Singh stressed the increasing use of technology as a force multiplier to fight naxalism. He requested the Prime Minister to provide state-of-the-art technology to increase the State police's efficiency.