Multi-faceted approach required to combat Naxalism: Kishore Chandra Deo

NEW DELHI: Advocating a multi-faceted approach that combines development and security concerns, Union Tribal Affairs minister V Kishore Chandra Deo today said fight against left wing extremism is different from war battles because those involved are the country's own citizens.

"Fighting Naxalism is not like fighting an enemy across the border. They are civilians. Military and para-military forces have been trained to fight the enemy. But the tribals, forest dwellers are our citizens, whom we have ill treated, have not developed, which has led to this situation," he told reporters here after relaunching his ministry's website.

Deo said left wing extremism is not just a law and order situation and need to be tackled through a multi-faceted approach.

"There has to be a multi-faceted approach (to combat Naxalism). Wherever there is a law and order problem, you treat it like that...there will be intelligence system in place. There will be security personnel but you also have to address the reasons why this problem arises.

" Maoism is a not merely a law and order problem. Poor development is also part of it...We need to get to the root cause of the problem," he said.

Deo said the government had called an all-party meet today to discuss the Maoist issue in the wake of the recent attack in Bastar where several leaders of the Congress were killed.