No softline with Maoist 'terrorists' : Raman Singh

New Delhi, May 19: Chattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh described Naxals as the biggest terrorists and added that there cannot be a 'softline' to deal with Maoists, but disfavoured use of air power to encounter the problem.

He was talking about the recent increase in the Naxal violence to the security forces in the state. He also preferred a long-term joint action plan with the central government to deal the 'menace'.

He spoke about the Maoist activities in the past decade in Chattisgarh. He said that the ultras have killed more than 1000 civilians and 650 policemen besides destructing 106 school buildings, 132 electric towers and three hospitals in the state.

Raman Singh arrived in Delhi to meet Manmohan Singh and Montek Singh Ahluwalia, the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, two days after the Dantewada attack which left more than 30 people dead.

“Who else can be termed as terrorists. They are the biggest terrorists. Naxalism is a biggest challenge to democracy. They want to capture power at gunpoint," the chief minister said.

When talking about the air power, he said, “It is not possible to go for bombing in those areas which are covered by dense forest. The army helicopter can be used only for rescue and relief operations."

OneIndia News