In a fresh bid to bring the Maoists to the table, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday appealed to them to abjure violence, come forward for talks and to join hands with the government for accelerated social and economic growth in the backward areas.
Committing to his government’s resolve to deal firmly on internal security, Dr Singh said the Centre would provide “all possible help” to states to “maintain the rule of law” in areas affected by Naxalism.
The Prime Minister also promised to fully implement the consensus that emerged in the meeting he held with Chief Ministers of Naxal-affected states and stressed the importance of both the Centre and state governments working together to meet the challenge posed by the ultras.
“It is imperative that the Centre and the states work together to meet the challenge of Naxalism. It would be very difficult for any state to tackle this problem without cooperation from the Centre and coordination between states. We all need to rise above our personal and political interests to meet this challenge,” he said.
The Prime Minister said naxalism has emerged as a serious challenge to internal security and there was need to rise above “personal and political interests” to tackle the menace.
“I once again appeal to naxalites to abjure violence, come for talks with the Government and join hands with us to accelerate social and economic development,” he said.
At the same time, he said that his government will deal firmly with those who resort to violence.
“We will provide all possible help to State Governments to maintain the rule of law in areas affected by naxalism,” Singh said.
Noting that most of the naxal affected areas are dominated by adivasis (tribals), he said it would be the endeavour of his government that they join the mainstream of development.
“They have been dependent on forest produce for centuries and this dependence should not end without the creation of new sources of livelihood.
“Apart from adequate compensation for land which is acquired from them, we should also ensure that our adivasi brothers and sisters have a stake in the developmental project being undertaken,” the Prime Minister said.
Dr Singh said he had asked the the Planning Commission to formulate a comprehensive scheme in this regard, which the government would implement fully.
The Prime Minister also asked officials serving in naxal affected areas to be “more sensitive”.
“The government officials who work there should not only be sincere but should also be alive to the special needs of our adivasi brothers and sisters,” he said.