LWE greater challenge than terrorism: Chidambaram

Kolkata, Sep 21 (PTI) Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is a
greater challenge to the country than terrorism in terms of
number of lives lost in violence, Home Minister of India P
Chidambaram said here Wednesday.
"Terrorism is a major challenge for security and
sovereignty for our country. But LWE is a greater challenge
than terrorism in terms of number of people killed in
violence," Chidambaram said.
"Ten times more people are killed in LWE attacks than
terrorism in the country... We are building capacities to deal
with them," he told a special session organised by Bharat
Chamber of Commerce.
There are two planks to deal with the problem of
extremism. The first plank is development of the affected
areas and the other is improvement in law and order, he said.
Citing the example of Bastar in Chhattisgarh, Chidambaram
said no one is able to go there due to which there is no
development in the area.
"Wherever development can take place, it should take
place with the help of security forces. Wherever not, security
forces should go and regain control of the regions. The
process will take some years," he said.
The Union Home Minister said the Centre and states like
West Bengal had urged Naxalites to suspend violence and come
to the table for talks.
"We are not asking them to shed their ideology or to lay
down arms, we are simply asking them to shed violence and come
for talks. These are conflicts which will take time to
resolve," he said.