Naxals 'our own people', ready to hold dialogue, says Manmohan Singh

New Delhi, Aug 26 (ANI): Terming Naxalism as the biggest challenge which the country faces today, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that it was necessary to train officers and men of forces engaged in fighting the challenge.

Addressing the second-day session of the 45th conference of Director Generals Of Police and other senior security officials here, Dr. Singh said: "We need to do much more to meet the challenge of Naxalism. Training of our officers and men engaged in this theatre should particularly engage yours systematic attention."

Reiterating that the Maoists are our own people, Dr Singh said the government was ready to hold dialogue if they abjured violence.

"We also stand committed to making special efforts to develop the areas affected by naxal violence, many of which are inhabitated predominantly by our tribal brothers and sisters," he added

Dr Manmohan Singh said that the challenges to the country's internal security seem to have re-emerged in more virulent forms. "We have made good progress in terms of recruitment and setting up of better institutional arrangements for intelligence, investigation, coastal security and counter-terrorism," but the problems we face remain daunting, he added.

He paid tribute to the officers and men of security forces who have made the supreme sacrifice in fighting Naxalism and other anti-social elements. (ANI)