By IANS,
New Delhi : The security forces need to regain control over the Maoist-controlled areas firstand the state governemnts should then rush with developmental measures, Home Mibnister P. Chidambaram said here Friday.
He admitted that finding trained and well-equipped security forces in states is the most difficult challenge in tackling the Maoists, who have created a parallel administration in several districts in the country.
“The most difficult element is trained, well-equipped state police force to take on the challenge of the Maoists. The situation on the Naxal (Maoist) front is worse. For, we did not engage them (earlier) and they will continue to expand unless we challenge them,” Chidambaram told reporters in an interaction at the Indian Women’s Press Corps here.
On Tuesday, Maoists carried out a daring attack on a security forces’ camp in Shilda in West Bengal Monday, killing 24 Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) troopers and a civilian.
The guerrillas Wednesday stormed a village in Bihar’s Jamui district and killed 11 people.
The first step in tackling the menace, the minister asserted, is for the civil administration to establish control in Maoist-dominated districts.
“First things first, the security forces must regain control. Once there is control, then the state government must rush in developmental resources,” he said.
Chidambaram said that it will be some time before results are seen on the ground.
“We need a strong head, strong heart and staying power for that,” he said.
The minister pointed out that the government had to reverse two decades of neglect of the police forces.