Maoists need to be dealt with firmly: Chidambaram
By IANSWednesday, March 31, 2010
NEW DELHI - Saying that Maoists needed to be dealt with “firmly and boldly”, union Home Minister P. Chidambaram cautioned sympathisers of the left wing extremists against having any “illusions about their motives and methods”.
Referring to the widespread violence perpetrated by the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) in six states during the two-day shutdown March 22-23, Chidambaram said, “There were 34 incidents in which six civilians and four security personnel were killed.
“Besides, 10 civilians and 16 members of the security forces were injured. The CPI-Maoist targeted railway tracks, roads, a toll plaza, mobile towers and other infrastructure,” he added.
“No one should have any illusions about the motives and methods of the CPI-Maoist. They believe in armed liberation struggle. They kill and loot indiscriminately.”
Observing that “the Maoists are a grave threat to our internal security”, Chidambaram said “They are, therefore, needed to be dealt with firmly and boldly. The central government and the state governments concerned will continue to do so.”
