Maoists aim to capture Delhi: Raman Singh

By Gaurav Sharma

Speaking at a seminar in New Delhi on Maoist threat, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said the development of Chattisgarh could not be stalled by the violence and destructive activities of Maoists who are the gravest threat to the internal security of India.

Addressing the seminar organised by the Forum for Integrated National Security (FINS) in New Delhi, he denied that operation Green Hunt was being run for clearing land so that multinational companies could do their business in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.

He said, “There is not even a single multinational company working in the region. We have not allowed any private trading of minerals in the state. Only government agencies like National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC) and SAIL are involved in mineral exploration and mining in the state”.

Urging all political parties to come above party politics in tackling the Maoist menace, Mr Singh expressed grave concern over the surge of violence in the country.

“There should not be any confusion over tackling Maoists as their sole objective is to seize power at the centre. Today Chhattisgarh is facing the problem, tomorrow whole country will have to stand up against the Maoists” said Mr Singh.

Launching a broadside against the human rights activists, Mr Singh said these activists shed their tears only when naxals are killed whereas their sympathy vanishes when civilians and soldiers are butchered by Maoists.

Questioning the rationale of extending moral support to Maoists, he said these activists who talk about human rights “come flying to Chhattisgarh, stay at five-stars, and protest with a candle and fly back to metros”.

Prakash Singh, Former Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, also spoke on the occasion. He said that India needs to have multi-pronged and integrated approach to root out the Maoist problem.

He suggested that Center review its decision of deploying Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the naxal-infested areas as its soldiers are not aware of guerrilla warfare.

Commenting on Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s statement that he has ‘limited mandate’ to fight Maoists, former DGP said aerial support differs from aerial attack as the former will help only in intelligence not in the strikes.

Peace is theoretically justified but the government must take stern actions against the anti-government rebels, he said.