Shun violence and join main stream of democracy,Nitish asks naxals

Patna, Jul 18 (UNI) Amidst noisy walkout by the entire opposition in state assembly, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today asked the naxalites to shun violence and adopt the established democratic ways to achieve their mission and warned that state government would take stern action against those indulged in violent activities.

In his reply to a special debate in the house on situation arising out of naxal activities, Mr Kumar said that naxal attacks in state had deteriorated after the effective measures taken by the Bihar government to check this menace.

'' Any individual or organisation is free to express their views and adopt democratic means to achieve their mission but those opting the path of violence would not be tolerated,'' he added.

Despite the limited resources, state government had taken effective measures to check this menace and consequently the incidents of naxal attacks in various parts of the state had declined.

Quoting related data, Mr Kumar said that during the period of January to June in 2005, there were 114 incidents of naxal attack while in 2006 it was 58 while in 2007, this figure was only 18 during the same period.

Similarly the casualties during the same period in these attacks were 92 in 2005, 58 in 2006 and 40 in 2007, he added.

While referring to overall improvement in law and order situation in the state, Mr Kumar said that number of kidnappings committed for ransom from Januray to June in 2005 was 117 while it was 97 in 2006 and in 2007, it further deteriorated to 48 during the same period.

State government would also ensure conviction to police officers found guilty of criminal negligence of their duties through speedy trial,he added.

Earlier, entire opposition staged walkout from the house over a certain remark by an Independent MLA Haribhushan Thakur. Later the remark was expunged from the proceeding of the house by the Speaker on the request of Chief Minister.

UNI