Naxalism posing threat to democracy: Pachouri

Raipur, Feb 7 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Administrative Reforms and Personnel Suresh Pachouri today expressed concern over the spread of naxalism and said that it was posing a threat to democracy.

''It's a problem being faced by the nation. It's a matter of concern for all democratic political parties,'' he told reporters at the state Congress office here.

Mr Pachouri said the Centre had taken up certain positive initiatives on the basis of suggestions that emerged at a chief ministers' meeting on naxalism. New Delhi was also extending all possible assistance, including availability of paramilitary forces, to the states concerned to combat the rebels.

Pointing out that there had been a sudden spurt in extremist violence during the past three years, he added that 256 people lost their lives in 2003 and the number of those killed rose to 715 in 2006.

''Forty-four civilians and 30 security personnel were killed in naxal violence in 2002 while 304 civilians and 84 security personnel were killed in 2006,'' he pointed out.

The minister said that the Centre made Rs 429.07 lakh available to Chhattisgarh in 2004-05 and Rs 500 lakh in 2006-07 to meet expenditure on security.

Mr Pachouri pointed out that the Centre allotted Rs 23.29 crore in 2003-04 for police modernisation but the state utilised only Rs 19.86 crore. In 2004-05 and 2005-06, Rs 43.63 crore and Rs 54.32 crore were earmarked respectively and the government could utilise Rs 25.83 crore and Rs 54.32 crore respectively.

UNI