Patil rules out talks with naxalites

Ranchi, Apr 2 (UNI) Ruling out any proposal to hold a dialogue with naxalites at this juncture Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today denied claimed that ultras were running ''parallel governments'' in the country.

Addressing a press conference here after having a meeting with Chief Minister Arjun Munda, State Home Minister Sudesh Mahto, Chief Secretary M K Mandal, DGP V D Ram and other concerned officials Mr Patil said that in a country with more than 1000 million population, if a few hundred people are killed in naxal-related violence, ''it does not mean that the government has lost control or the ultras are running a parallel government.'' Mr Patil said if the news of naxal violence was blown out of proportion by media, this would create fear in the minds of people and in turn, benefit the ultras. The media should give right and balanced information about the corrective steps of government to the people of affected area. On being asked whether the Centre would talk with the ultras, Mr Patil said there was no need.

To another query about naxalites targeting railway property, he said state police and railway police were there to take care of this problem and the Centre was also preparing a plan to tackle this effectively.

Talking about the discussions in todays' meeting, Mr Patil said he was briefed in detail about the steps being taken by the state government for good governence to tackle the menace of naxalism and strengthening the police. '' The situation in Jharkhand is okay and the efforts are in right direction. The Centre will provide all help to the state to tackle naxalism effectively, '' he asserted.

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