New Delhi: Finally, states dealing with Naxalism have arrived at a consensus on how to tackle the insurgency. At a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, it was decided to set up a Unified Command for the worst-hit states: Orissa, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal.
Dr Singh was clear in his message to the Home Ministry and Naxal-affected states — a collaborative and carefully coordinated strategy has to become a ground reality.
“We cannot afford to let inter-personal issues come in the way…. We must be and also appear to be united and one in our resolve and in execution of our strategies. In particular, I would emphasise the urgent necessity for the central and state forces to work with total coordination and without any misunderstanding about each other,” the Prime Minister said.
He was also emphatic that Left-wing extremism cannot be defeated without winning the hearts and minds of those who find themselves untouched by development, governed by corruption.
“For far too long have our tribal brothers and sisters seen the administration in the form of a rapacious forest guard, a brutal policeman, a greedy patwari,” said Dr Singh.
That sentiment seemed to resonate with Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar. “Naxal elements are a part of our society,” even though they have been misled into following the path of violence,” he said, contradicting the much tougher stand on Naxals taken by his ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“Enforcement action alone leads to wider alienation, making heroes out of the leaders of the extremist organizations,” Nitish added.
Many of the proposals of Home Ministry were accepted. The Unified Command for the intelligence agencies. Twenty more helicopters have been sanctioned for “logistical support, supplies and evacuation” said Home Minister P Chidambaram.
Four hundred police stations will be strengthened at a cost of 2 crores each, with the Centre picking up most of the bill. More roads will be built in the 34 worst-hit districts. Satellite phones can be used more liberally.
Politically, the agenda will push development – allowing Gram Sabhas right over minor forest produce.