JOIN USMaintaining that the burden of governance in the Naxal-hit districts must rest with the states, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram told a workshop attended by collectors of 60 Maoist-affected districts.: “Left-wing extremism is the most violent movement in the country.”
“Left-wing extremism has killed ten times more people this year than terrorism in the country,” Chidambaram added.
He was was categorical in stating that the state governments must take ownership for what they do in the Naxal-hit districts, though the Centre will provide necessary help.
“The burden of governance cannot be shifted from the state governments to the Central government...In the ultimate analysis, the responsibility of governance in the Left-wing extremism affected districts must rest with the states,” the minister told the workshop.
The fight against Naxalism cannot be won unless villagers are on the side of the authorities, the minister said.
“The villagers are not yet on our side or at least not all villagers are on our side because of trust deficit, governance deficit and development deficit,” he said.
“If villagers think that Naxals are their friends and the established government is their adversary, you cannot win the battle,” Chidambaram said.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also addressed the workshop which discussed about the appropriate development strategy for effective implementation of rural development schemes in Maoist-affected districts under Integrated Action Plan (IAP).
“Development in the Naxal areas must be in tune with the need of the local people,” said Manmohan Singh.
Stressing the need for development, the prime minister said: “Post offices and bank branches can be operated from the police stations in the Maoist-hit areas.”