'Creation of tribal states could curb naxalism'

Jabalpur, Jan 20: Gondwana Ganatantra Party working president Dileep Singh Bhuria today said creation of five tribal states by combining tribal areas in the country could help in curbing growth of naxalism in these areas.

Mr Bhuria, who was here to take part in a programme related to cooperative sector, told UNI here that naxalism was growing in tribal areas because of lack of development.

He said true leadership was not being allowed to come up in tribal areas by political parties and ''show-piece'' leaders had taken its place.

''In the name of development of tribal areas, such leaders had developed politically,'' he said, adding that it was unfortunate that tribal areas were not developed despite 60 years of independence and several crores of rupees being allocated for development in tribal areas.

''A lot of corruption has been done by politicians and officials in the name of development schemes,'' he said.

Mr Bhuria said there was scope for creation of 5-7 tribal states in the country. This would lead to better exploitation of natural resources and minerals in the area and bring forth true leadership.

Stressing that naxalism in tribal areas could not controlled by guns and police, he said the GGP was fighting for the development and welfare of tribals.

UNI