Deploy army in Maoist-hit areas: Sushma Swaraj

RAIPUR - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj Friday sought deployment of the army in Maoist-affected areas, including in violence-hit pockets of Chhattisgarh.

“BJP’s central leadership is in favour of deployment of the army in Maoist-affected areas to put an end to violence and wanton killings,” Sushma Swaraj, who is leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, told media persons here amid a spate of killings of security personnel in Chhattisgarh.

“If deployment of army can check killings of security personnel and innocent civilians by the Maoists, we have to opt for this solution,” she said.

Sushma Swaraj said her party would exert pressure on the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to take bold steps to contain rising Maoist militancy.

“The central government is confused over the steps to be taken against Maoists. The BJP will raise the issue strongly in parliament during the upcoming monsoon session,” she said.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, who was also present, said the issue of the army’s deployment had been discussed with Home Minister P. Chidambaram at a few meetings.

He said it was felt that defence and security experts should take up the matter of working out a plan of operation in the event of the army being deployed in Maoist-affected areas.