Address root causes of Naxalism: Sonia

NAXALISM SONIA

New Delhi, May 14 (PTI) In the midst of the debate over
the right approach to deal with Naxalism, Congress President
Sonia Gandhi has said the "root causes" of the problem need to
be addressed while tackling it decisively.
"While we must address acts of terror decisively and
forcefully, we have to address the root causes of Naxalism",
she said in the "Letter to the Congresspersons" in the first
remarks on the issue since a controversy had broken out over
Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh's article flaying
Home Minister P Chidambaram's handling of the problem.
"The rise of Naxalism is a reflection of the need for
our development initiatives to reach the grassroots,
especially in our most backward districts. This is why our
government is putting in place more targeted development
schemes for our most backward districts", Gandhi said in the
latest issue of party journal "Congress Sandesh".
Noting that India is facing "enormous challenge" from
Naxalites, Gandhi recalled that Central Reserve Police Force
(CRPF) lost 73 brave jawans in an attack in central state
Chhattisgarh. "Our thoughts go out to the grieving families of
these men who have lost their lives."
Singh had suggested in the article that Chidambaram was
treating the Naxalite issue as a law and order problem which
was wrong and called for a rethink of counter-Maoist strategy.
The party general secretary had sometime back regretted his
remarks and had also met the Union Home Minister apparently to
clear his stand.
When Singh's comments had triggered a controversy in
the wake of April 6 Dantewada massacre, Congress distanced
itself from them and said such views should be expressed in
party fora only.
Asked about Gandhi's remarks, Singh said there was "no
difference" between the approach of the party and the
government in tackling the issue. He suggested he had penned
the article at a time when there was talk of a "military
strategy" to deal with Maoists. PTI SPG
RBT


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