Development can defeat Naxalism: Sonia
The best way to defeat left wing extremism in the country is to properly implement rural development programmes and empower people, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said on Friday.
“We know there is left-wing extremism and insurgency in many districts of the country which have a sizeable tribal population. We can defeat them only by properly implementing rural development programmes,” Sonia said while addressing a convention on “Empowerment to Tribal women” organised by the Mahila Congress.
The UPA chairperson also urged Central and state governments to ensure development of tribal areas.
“The Centre and state governments should do their fundamental and Constitutional duties in helping tribal areas with full earnest. I feel that if we do this, we will be able to bring those people who have adopted the culture of violence back to the democratic main” she said.
She also asked the women’s wing of the party to protest if their states fail to implement the flagship programmes of the UPA government.
“Wherever these programmes are not being implemented, they should agitate,” Gandhi said.
Sonia Gandhi, who is also heading the National Advisory Council (NAC), asserted that minerals in tribal areas should be harnessed without affecting the means of livelihood.
“Tribal areas are rich in minerals. But these resources should be used in a manner that does not destroy land belonging to tribals and does not snatch away their livelihood. Our Central government is making such a law which will allow development of mineral resources and give its benefits to tribal communities,” Sonia Gandhi said.
