Naxalism is a bigger challenge than terrorism:central government "does not have that much human resources" n can only provide help-Chidambaram14/9/11

Naxalism is a bigger challenge than terrorism: Chidambaram/Centre to send 5,000 additional forces for joint ops in Naxal belt/Promises full support to Red-hit states/Winning hearts key to winning battle against Naxalism
TNN | Jun 15, 2011, 02.43AM IST


TNN | Sep 14, 2011, 04.59AM IST


NEW DELHI: Calling Naxalism a bigger challenge than terrorism or insurgency, Union home minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday said that the burden of governance in the Maoist-affected districts must rest with the states as the central government "does not have that much human resources" and can only provide help.

He said the battle in the affected districts was not for maintaining law and order but winning the "minds and hearts" of the people there. "The most violent movement in India is not terrorism or insurgency but Left-wing extremism. While 26 people were killed in terrorist violence and 46 in insurgency (27 in Jammu & Kashmir), 297 people were killed in Naxal violence. That is ten times of those killed in terror incidents," Chidambaram said.

Asking states to understand the nature of this violent movement, the home minister said: "The burden
of governance cannot be shifted from the state governments to the central government.... In the ultimate analysis, the responsibility of governance in the Left-wing extremism affected districts must rest with the states."

He was speaking at a national workshop attended by collectors of 60-Maoist hit districts in New Delhi. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who concluded the day-long session, stressed on integrated development while urging the DMs to have zero tolerance for corruption.

While tribal affairs minister K C Deo said that law and order approach was not the correct way to address the issue, BJP accused the home minister of abdicating his duty by putting the responsibility of tackling Naxalism on states.

Noting that the fight against Naxalism cannot be won unless villagers are on the side of the authorities, Chidambaram said: "The villagers are not yet on our side or at least not all villagers are on our side because of trust deficit, governance deficit and development deficit."