Congress walkout in assembly over naxalite violence

Raipur, Mar 30 (UNI) Opposition Congress members today walked out of the Chhattisgarh assembly demanding a detailed reply on their notice for adjournment motion on the naxalite problem in the state.

Raising the issue during zero hour, Leader of the Opposition Mahendra Karma demanded a discussion on naxalite violence claiming that the situation had turned worse during the past few months.

Mr Karma said it was an issue to be examined as to why the problem could not be contained despite deployment of more than 3,000 security personnel in the South Bastar region itself.

He urged the state government to make legal provisions so that the state could bear all the medical expenses for the treatment of security forces and others injured in naxalite violence.

Mr Dharamjit (Cong) said the state government must take initiative to hold talks with the rebels.

''If talks can he held with Kashmir militants and other militant organisations, what is wrong in holding talks with naxalites?,'' he said.

Mr Bhupesh Baghel (Cong) said the naxalite problem had attained serious proportions in tribal Bastar and the rebels were spreading their activities in other regions.

He sought to know whether the 'Salwa Judum', the ongoing movement against naxalites in Bastar region, would be extended in Rajnandgaon district and whether Chief Minister Raman Singh would lead the campaign there.

In his reply, Home Minister Ramvichar Netam admitted that naxalism was a serious problem being faced by the state. He said at present there was no possibility of carrying out 'Salwa Judum' movement in Rajnandgaon district.

Mr Ravindra Choubey (Cong) demanded a detailed and point-wise reply from the government to the opposition notice for adjournment motion.

As the state government did not reply, the Congress members staged a walkout.

UNI JJ LS KP1802