Bihar: CM evolves new strategy to tackle extremists

Patna, July 3: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has evolved a two pronged strategy to counter the menace of the ultras across the state, following spurt in maoist attacks.

After extensively reviewing the situation with higher authorities of the state in view of the recent maoists attacks in Rohtas district, Mr Kumar said while the operation would be intensified against them, other developmental activities would also be undertaken in the remote areas to instill confidence among the villagers and to address their socio-economic issues which were the major reason for growing extremism.

Mr Kumar said that during anti maoists operation the government would ensure that no innocent person was victimised and special direction had been given to the officials in this connection.

Meanwhile, State Home Commissioner Afzar Amanullah admitted intelligence failure at some level which led to the attack at the police station and the outpost in Rohtas district.

Mr Amanullah said the police was making all efforts to tackle the menace and 273 maoists including their zonal and area comanders have been arrested sine January this year. Besides, 2359 Kg of explosives, 2684 detonators, 29 can bombs, nine land mines and 78 firearms were recovered during the period, he informed.

He claimed that the red attacks had declined following the actions of the police.As per statistics, in 295 maoist attacks 131 civilians and 23 police personnel were killed in year 2003 while in the year 2004 the number of attacks went up to 382 registering 199 killings. In 2005, 22 police personnel and 114 civilians were killed in 203 attacks while during 2006 the number of attacks were 114 in which 49 people were killed. the current year has reported 41 attacks till date in which 31 people have been killed.

A senior officer on condition of anonimity said that the development activities for uplift of the downtrodden, oppressed sections and women have not gone down properly. Sources said proper implementetion of the developmental activities would help in tackling the problem of naxalism.

UNI