Shivraj Patil calls naxals to join mainstream

New Delhi, Nov 22: Home Minister Shivraj Patil today called upon naxalites to join the national mainstream and asserted that ensuring security of ''soft targets'' from terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir would remain a priority for the security forces.

Inaugurating the annual conference of DGPs/IGPs here, Mr Patil that Pakistan- based terrorist groups as LeT were trying to infilterate Mujahideen and arms and ammunitions through sea route and they had increase violence in Jammu and Kashmir since April this year to vitiate the atmosphere.

He said ISI directed terrorist groups were transporting terrorism to Indian hinterland and attempting to use local miscreants and organisations to perpetuate violent activities. The Home Minister asserted that security forces were equipped and focused to deal with these challenges.

Terming naxalism as a serious threat to national security, Mr Patil said naxal actions at Jehanabad, Giridih and Udaigiri pointed towards critical gaps in police training, response and collection of tactical intelligence.

He said that naxals were determined to acquire sophisticated arsenal to improve their military might, spread their hold over newer areas and were trying to sabotage developmental activites in areas of their influence. The police needed to remain on constant alert to nip the naxal plans in the bud.

Pointing out that some icons of the naxalite movement had seen the futility of armed struggle and came over ground after decades in the ultraleft movement and joined the mainstream, relishing that the naxal path was not the real answer to India's problems.

''Since the government is as keen as naxalites, if not more, to see that the lot of the deprived sections of society is improved, I see no reason why the naxalite of today cannot learn from the experience of their erstwhile leaders and see the light of the day.

They should join the mainstream and contribute their mite to the developmental efforts rather than obstructing the same,'' the Home Minister said.

Regarding the North Eastern situation, Mr Patil said the continuing violence in Manipur and the surge in depredations by ULFA in Assam were a worrying indicators. He said security forces and police couldnot afford to lower their guard. He said that cooperation between police of various North Eastern states was vital in view of the close inter-linkages among the insurgent groups which facilitate arms procurement and sharing of training facilities and shelters among them.

The Home Minister also presented the Police Medal for Meritorious Services to 17 police officials.

On this occasion, Director of the Intelligence Bureau who is the convenor for the three today meeting, said Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Toiba are trying to target the hinterland of India for terrorism and destabilising Indian economy was an important part of the Jehadi movement. These groups were trying to recruit local youth to promote terror from indigenous groups in India to avoid international criticism against the cross-border terrorism.

UNI