Govt to take pro-active, stern steps to contain naxal violence

New Delhi, Apr 13 (UNI) The government today resolved to take pro-active and stern measures to effectively deal with naxalism in various parts of the country but said that state machinery would not be brutalised and human rights not violated in the process.

Addressing a press conference after the second meeting of the Standing Committee of the Chief Ministers of Naxal-affected states which was chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said the government would act and do whatever needed to be done to contain the naxalite violence in the country.

Pointing out that the Prime Minister chairing the meeting indicated the highest priority being accorded by the government to resolve the issue, he said stern and proactive action would be taken wherever required to prevent violent incidents, but this would be done without brutalising the state machinery and and ensuring that no human rights violation takes place.

He said people's resistance movement like 'Selva Judum' in Chhattisgarh would be upscaled and given all support to contain the naxalite attacks. He said the meeting felt that people cooperation must be upscaled to contain naxalite violence.

Realising the problems faced by tribals, he said the Centre has assured that the Forest Act would be amended so that it did not block the development of tribal areas. Provisions would be made to give land for construction of roads and electric wires.

The Environment and Forest Minister has assured to solve it by either administrative order or changing the law, Mr Patil said.

Moreover, tribals would be given land ownership certificates to resolve the ownership issue.

He said steps were also being taken to improve the communication and transport facilities as they were pre-requisite to launch effective campaigns against naxal violence.''Road construction is required at great speed and we are trying to do it now and even in future.

Pointing out that naxalism was not merely a law and order problem but also has a deep socio-economic aspect, he said the government's approach was to address this menace simultaneously on political, security, development and public perception management fronts in a holistic and coordinated manner.

The meeting resolved that the menace of naxalism was a threat to democracy and said there was no place for violence in a democratic set-up. It emphasised that there was a complete political will and determination to deal with naxal violence most sternly and at the same time providing a sense of security and taking all possible steps for accelerated socio-economic development and ensuring redressal of legitimate grievances of the people in the naxal-affected areas.

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