22.9.11

PC on Maoists

The Centre is ready for unconditional talks with Maoists even if they do not surrender arms or renounce their extremist ideology. All they need to do is give up violence, Union home minister P Chidambaram said, indicating an apparent softening in the Centre’s stand on engaging the rebels in the peace process. The offer came with a warning that security forces will carry out operations against the rebels, at least in areas where the civil administration is unable to function, till they give up violence and come forward for talks. He said Left-wing extremism (LWE) was the greatest security challenge for the country. He referred to parts of the country where no development work has been possible due to Maoist activity. “We have identified 60 districts. Among these are places like Bastar (in Chhattisgarh) where teachers, doctors, nurses or contractors can’t go. There are police stations in Chhattisgarh where only a couple of cops are posted. They can’t carry arms as these may get looted. No cases get registered at these police stations. At such places, the security forces will have to establish a semblance of law and order. There are also districts where the civil administration has some dominance. At such places, developmental work will proceed with help from the security forces,” he said.

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