Naxalism remains the biggest internal security challenge: PM

New Delhi, May 24 (PTI) Describing Naxalism as the
biggest internal security challenge of the country, Indian
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday said the Central
government must help the states to deal with the menace.
"This is a problem which has acquired (such a) magnitude
that cooperation between the Centre and states is absolutely
necessary and the Central government must help states in every
possible way," Singh said at a national press conference here.
He, however, said law and order was primarily the state
government's responsibility.
"As far as I am concerned, I do recognise that law and
order is primarily a state responsibility," he said.
Asked about Home Minister P Chidambaram's statement that
he had a limited mandate in tackling the Maoists, Singh said
the minister had already explained what he had meant by his
statement on the issue.
"The Home Minister has explained what he meant by his
having a limited mandate. These are issues which are strategy
issues, hence will be discussed in appropriate forum of the
Cabinet whenever an opportunity arises," he said.
On May 17, Chidambaram had said "I took to the cabinet
committee case for a larger mandate, I was given a limited
mandate. I will go back to the cabinet committee, I have
already spoken to the Prime Minister....".
However, the next day, the Home Minister had clarified
that it was the state governments which have the primary
responsibility to tackle the menace of Naxalism and he was
making the comment in that context.
The Prime Minister said his government did not
underestimate the problem of Naxalism and there was no
difference of opinion between the Central and the state
governments on the issue of left-wing extremism.
"Naxalism remains the biggest internal security challenge
facing our country. I have been saying this for the last three
years. I have spoken to the Chief Ministers of the states many
times on Naxal issue. The Chief Ministers understand that it
is imperative to control Naxalism for the country's growth."
The Prime Minister admitted that the Maoists get fundings
from various sources which they use for the procurement of
arms and ammunition.
Asked whether there was any move to impose restrictions
on the human rights activists who propagate the agenda of the
Naxals, Singh said there was no such move as long as they do
not indulge in violent activities.
"India is a democratic country and in democracy everyone
has the right to express his views before the people. If the
views don't propagate violence, there can't be any restriction
on that," he said.
Singh said to exploit full benefit of economic reforms,
it is important to control Naxalism and terrorist elements.
"If we don't, it can affect our growth." PTI ACB
MRD


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