Chhattisgarh not doing enough to end Maoist menace: Centre

There may be a decline in the number of Maoist-related incidents in the country in the past three years, but the situation in Chhattisgarh remains a “cause for concern” for the Centre, which feels that the state is “not doing enough” to corner Left-wing extremists.

Upset over the slow pace, the Union Home Ministry has summoned top officials of the Chhattisgarh government to New Delhi to give a tough talk and review the progress made by the state on the anti-Maoist front. Top officials from the state government and police would attend the meeting.

Sources said the meeting would be held at the official level, as Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh would not be able to reach New Delhi due to personal problems.

The security establishment is not enthused with Chhattisgarh administration’s efforts on the ground in dealing with Maoists. They believe that the state police forces are not trying to capitalise on the forward movement the forces had earlier achieved.

The feeling in the Home Ministry is that the state is not engaging with the Maoists, thus allowing them to regroup and launch spectacular attacks. Sources said there were several cases were Maoists wanted to surrender but they could not as there was no follow up action from the state’s side.

The Annual Report 2013-14 of the Home Ministry, tabled recently in Parliament, had also acknowledged the serious situation in Chhattisgarh. The report pointed out that Maoist violence has “significantly declined” since 2011 but they succeeded in carrying out major strikes in 2014 in Chhattisgarh.