BJP,Cong begin blame game on Maoists

In Delhi to finalise the state’s annual plan,Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Wednesday said he had a limited role in formulating the strategy as Maoists were waging a “mobile war” and their operations spread across states. Intelligence inputs suggest “some connection” between Maoists and terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba,he said.

“The manner in which they are using IEDs and weapons with 100 per cent technical surety shows there are experts who are giving them training. The tribals of Bastar cannot do this,” he said. “It is not the battle of Dantewada but the battle of Delhi.” The CM termed the Maoists as the “biggest terrorists”.

A BJP statement said, “Tackling extremism of this kind is both a law and order problem as also an assault on the integrity,sovereignty,constitutional order and defence of India. The Home Minister’s comment that it is primarily the responsibility of the states and the Centre can only give logistical support is neither politically nor constitutionally correct.”

The CM’s comments drew sharp reactions from Congress leaders with two AICC general secretaries launching a concerted attack on him. “Why should Home Minister P Chidambaram take the blame when it is the accountability of Chhattisgarh government,which has totally failed at the ground level? The best example is the way SPOs were sent by the state government by buses. Chhattisgarh government has totally failed in tackling the Naxal issue,” said B K Hari Prasad,AICC general secretary in charge of Madhya Pradesh.

“Total responsibility and accountability is with the CM of Chhattisgarh. Problem is the CM has taken the stand that it can be solved only by an armed offensive. Where was the state police when Dantewada incident took place? Nobody is asking the CM why 800 villages are deserted and 70,000 people are in refugee camps,” said Digvijay Singh.

Incidentally,Congress spokespersons so far refrained from attacking the BJP regime in Chhattisgarh citing the need for a collaborative effort in tackling Naxalism. “He (Chidambaram) has said we need to work together. Although it is an extremely serious issue,we don’t want to indulge in politicization,” Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi told reporters on Wednesday. Asked about Digvijay Singh’s views,he said they were his “personal” opinion.

The Chhattisgarh CM said that in view of the seriousness of the situation,the Centre has to consult defence experts and formulate a long-term strategy to take on the insurgents. He called for an integrated action plan,including raising a special force trained in guerilla warfare.

BJP leaders said although law and order is a State subject,when it transgresses into a threat to the country’s integrity and assault on its sovereignty,it falls into the Centre’s domain and it cannot abdicate its responsibility.

As far as using of aerial support in operations against Maoists,Raman Singh said he was in favour of it. “We are not talking about bombing Bastar. What is needed is logistic support for evacuating injured personnel,providing them with supplies and reinforcements. We can save lives.”

He would ask the Home Minister and the Prime Minister to provide operational support and support for reconstruction of affected areas.