Soren retracts, says will cooperate with Centre on Naxal operation

Ranchi, Jan 22 (ANI): Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren on Friday retracted from his earlier stand to end anti Naxal operations and said his government would extend full cooperation to security forces involved in such actions.

Interacting with media, after the swearing in ceremony of the state's new Governor M O H Farooq, Soren said: "We are not against 'Green Hunt'. The people have come to Jharkhand to do their work. We will help them, help them locate the places and assist them in every way possible."

The State Government had pulled back security and paramilitary personnel deployed in various regions of the state, giving rise to fears of allowing the Maoists an opportunity to step up their attacks.

In Raipur, during meetings with the Chief Ministers of Chhattisgarh and Orissa, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said there was no "Green Hunt" operation.

The states are using their respectivepolice forces to fight Naxals and bring back normalcy, he added.

He also ruled out the involvement of the Army.

"The Centre is just providing central police forces to aid state government and assist in better co-ordination between states." he said. ANI)