We have to squarely take on Naxals: Chidambaram

RAIPUR: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram tonight advocated a strategy of "squarely" taking on naxalites and assured the Centre will provide full support in terms of security forces and funds to all the seven states affected by Left wing extremism.

"Left wing extremists are to be confronted with squarely and boldly. We have to deal with them firmly and decisively", Chidambaram told mediapersons here after his meeting with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and senior state government officials on the naxal issue.

The union home minister said chief ministers of all the seven states hit by Left wing extremism --Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and West Bengal--have agreed on a "joint action" to deal with the problem and said it was a significant development.

Chidambaram said all states have been adopting different approaches to deal with the problem and the central government is providing all possible support to these states.

However, the strategy adopted by Chhattisgarh after 2003 appears to be giving results, he added.