So called "protracted people's war" waged by Maoists continues to target civilians:PM (Lead: PM)

New Delhi, Apr 16 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Monday said the so called "protracted people's war" waged by left wing extremists against the state and society continues to target civilians and security forces.

Addressing a Chief Ministers' conference on internal security here, Dr. Singh said: The year 2011 was a better year than 2010 in terms of the number of deaths caused by left wing extremist groups. But we still have a long way to go, both in terms of including people in the affected areas in our growing economy and society, and in terms of providing them with adequate account of security."

"The so called "protracted people's war" waged by left wing extremists against the state and society continues to target civilians and security forces, and economic infrastructure such as railways, mobile communications and power networks. In the recent past, naxalites have also resorted to abducting foreign nationals," he added.

Asserting that threats from terrorism, left wing extremism, religious fundamentalism, and ethnic violence persist in our country, Dr. Singh said: "These challenges demand constant vigilance on our part. They need to be tackled firmly but with sensitivity. The forces behind them must not only be contained but should also be effectively rolled back."

"This is undoubtedly a complex and onerous task. It is an endeavour that requires the united effort of us all both or two centres and in the states. Internal security is a matter in which the states and the centre must work together, hand in hand, and in harmony," he added.

He further said: "I am glad that you are devoting a separate session this evening to Left Wing Extremism. Our holistic approach to the problem remains valid and necessary, paying simultaneous attention to security, development, good governance and perception management."

Emphasising that in the last two years, the Integrated Action Plan has brought development to villages in the most backward and violence affected districts in our country," Dr. Singh said: "We have also extended the Plan from the original 60 districts to 78 districts."

"Given the inter-state ramifications of left wing extremism, the action plan has been deliberated in detail with the seven affected states," he added. (ANI)