Left wing extremists or Maoists of Naxalites as they are called have affected as many as 60 districts in 13 states in the country and are now spreading to new areas.
“India is progressing economically and the terrorists outfits based outside the country are helping the Maoists with a view to disrupt our economic progress,” said the Indian Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde while presenting the monthly report card of his Ministry here on Monday.
According to Shinde, the Government is planning to a package deal for youths in the Maoists affected areas for offering skill development to undertake economic activities on the lines of that existing in the Jammu and Kashmir.
“I have received feedback from the Maoist affected states. Some of these misguided youths can be taken in the police force by relaxing some criteria and guidelines,” the Minister said.
India’s proposed new formula for taming the Maoists is similarly to that in Nepal, falling short of participation in the political power and military.
When asked whether Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) was aiding the Maoists in India, the Minister said : “It is not only the LeT there are other forces also. We are watchful of the situation.”
“We are prepared for talks with the Maoists,” he said.
Shinde also said that the Central Government was in consultation with the States to float a new intelligence force but cautioned that it would not be parallel to the existing Intelligence Bureau.
Regarding the operation of his predecessor P Chidambaram’s pet project, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Minister said ; “the States will be taken into confidence for its operation.”
On the issue of hate SMSs originating from Pakistan during the recent ethnic clashes in Bodoland and its fallout in other parts of the country, Shinde said : “I took up this matter with the Interior Minister of Pakistan. We blocked these SMSs at that time. We are now collecting evidences.”
He said that India has now taken more rigid steps to seal the borders with Bangladesh to prevent illegal migration from Bangladesh. Steps are being taken to rehabilitate the Bodoland riot victims on the authenticity of their domicile.
On the issue of Hindus from Pakistan and Sikhs from Afghanistan who have come to India seeking for citizenship, he said : “We will check all details. If they desire to stay they are welcome. Where cruelty is being against them, we will take up these issues with the country concerned.”
