New Delhi, May 24
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today identified Naxalism as the biggest internal security challenge for his administration, dismissing the charge that the government underestimated the threat from Left-wing extremism.
“I have been saying for the last three years that Naxalism remains the biggest internal security challenge facing our country,” he said at a press conference to coincide with the UPA-II completing one year in office.
On the recent controversy over P Chidambaram’s remark that the Home Ministry had a limited mandate as far as tackling the Naxal menace was concerned, the PM said the Home Minister has already clarified what he meant by his statement.
Asked if his government could consider giving a free hand to the Naxal-affected states to deal with the problem, he pointed out that although the law and order was a state subject, the magnitude of the problem warranted the Centre and the states to work together. “Cooperation between the Centre and the states is absolutely necessary to deal with the issue and the Centre will provide them all the necessary assistance,” he said.
The PM sought to dispel the impression that the Centre and the states were not on the same page on the issue. “I have spoken to CMs of Naxal-hit states. They understand that it is imperative to control Naxalism for the country’s growth,” the PM said.
To a question, he acknowledged that Naxalites got funds from many quarters to buy arms. On whether the government could consider banning human rights groups which voice their support for the Maoists, he said India was a democracy in which everybody has the freedom to speak. ‘’We can’t ban any group until they are seen to be propagating violence,’’ he said.
Manmohan Singh said to realise full benefit of economic reforms, it was important to control Naxalism and terrorist elements. “If we don’t, it can affect our growth,” he said.
The PM said the government was determined to tackle the threat of terrorism.
