Sonia concerned over unrest in tribal areas

Raipur, Oct 14 (UNI) Congress President Sonia Gandhi today said issues pertaining to forest land and forest produce have to be resolved in appropriate manner to check growing unrest in the tribal areas in order to contain Naxalite activities.

Addressing a well-attended public meeting here after participating in the state-level training camp of Congress workers of Chhattisgarh, she expressed serious concern over ''unrest'' in the tribal areas.

''Violence is not a solution for any problem,'' Ms Gandhi said, appealing youths to shun naxalism and violence and return to the national mainstream.

Pointing out that the problem of naxalism has to be viewed in a broader prespective, the Congress President said the aspects related to socio-economic development of the respective areas had to be taken into consideration, while making efforts to tackle naxalism.

''Naxalism is not just a law and order problem,'' she added.

Ms Gandhi said there was a need to ensure proper implementation of the laws pertaining to protection of rights of tribals.

She said a legislation would be brought to ensure that forest dwellers got ownership rights of their land.

AICC Treasurer Motilal Vora, party General Secretary Mukul Wasnik, Union Minister Arjun Singh, Chhattisgarh Congress President Charandas Mahant, former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi were among those present.

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