No dilution in strategy to tackle Maoists: Chidambaram

New Delhi, May 3 (PTI) The government of India on Monday
asserted its two-pronged strategy of accelerated development
and calibrated police action to deal with Maoists will not be
diluted.
"There will be no dilution in government's two-pronged
policy in dealing with the naxal menace," Home Minister P
Chidambaram told a meeting of the Consultative Committee of
his Ministry here.
He said accelerated development and calibrated police
action continued to be two pillars of government's anti-naxal
policy.
The Home Minister said on both the fronts, the primary
responsibility rests with state governments though the Centre
has an important role to play.
"On the police action front, the Centre has to provide
para-military forces to the state, but it is the officers of
the state police who have to lead the operations.
"Success of the operations largely depends on the
soundness of the plans, prepared by a state government and
its efficient implementation," he said.
On the developmental front, Chidambaram said, while the
Centre provides substantial funds to the state governments
under various schemes, the machinery to implement the schemes
and utilise the funds is under their control.
He pointed out nearly one-third of the funds provided
to the 35 worst-hit naxal districts under developmental
schemes like Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, National Rural
Employment Guarantee Scheme, Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran
Yojana, National Rural Drinking Water Supply Programme, Sarva
Shiksha Abhiyan and Indira Awas Yojana remained unutilised.
"There are also questions on whether the money spent
actually had reached the intended beneficiaries," he said.
The Home Minister said it is important to secure
insurgency-affected areas for apprehending naxal leaders,
restoring civil administration and bringing about development
there.
The naxals do not want development of ribal-dominated
areas, he said adding this is clear from the wantonness with
which they have been destroying the infrastructure.
In 2009 alone, naxals targeted 362 telephone towers,
school buildings, roads, culverts etc, Chidambaram said.
Refuting the allegation that security forces are
working with obsolete weapons, he said the Centre has equipped
para-military forces, deployed in naxal-hit areas, with latest
weapons.
"The state governments have also started acquiring
modern weapons, but they have some distance to go. The main
area of concern is the lack of required manpower as the
vacancy level in state police forces is very high.
"These vacancies need to be filled up quickly and the
recruited personnel need to be imparted necessary training
before they can be deployed for anti-naxal operations," he
said. PTI ACB
AHM


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