Left-wing extremist groups pose 'formidable challenge': govt

New Delhi, July 14 (PTI) The Indian government has
admitted that unification of major Left-wing extremists groups
is a "formidable challenge" and expressed its readiness to
deal with the menace with comprehensive plans.

The Annual Report of the Ministry of Home Affairs for
2008-09 also said nearly 87 per cent Naxal violence is
accounted for from four worst-affected states -- Bihar,
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa.

The coming together of major groups like People's War
Group and Maoists Communist Centre under a single banner has
been accompanied by growing militarisation in their
organisation and tactics, thus creating a "formidable
challenge", it said.

There were 1,591 incidents of Naxal violence and 721
casualties in 2008 compared to 1,567 incidents and 696
casualties in 2007.

"Left-wing extremist violence registered an increase
of 3.4 per cent over the previous year. The four worst
affected states accounted for 86.39 per cent of total
incidents of Naxal violence in 2008," the report said.

Apart from specific threats and activities of various
militant, insurgent or extremist groups in specific areas of
the country, terrorism is the foremost issue in the minds of
the people and challenge to the overall internal security
situation, the report said.

The Home Ministry report said the government has been,
on a continuing basis, reviewing the security arrangements in
the light of emerging challenges and a number of important
decisions had been taken and measures put in place in the past
few years.

"Detailed reviews were undertaken in the wake of
incidents in Mumbai (26/11) and several other measures have
been taken/ are underway since then," it said.

Referring to the steps being taken to deal with the
Naxal menace, the report said integrated approach aimed at the
relatively more affected states would give surer results.

A detailed analysis made on Naxalite violence and 33
seriously-affected districts in eight states have been taken
up for special allocation on plan, implementation and
monitoring of development schemes.

Out of the eight, four -- Bihar, Chhattisgarh,
Jharkhand, Orissa -- have been taken up for implementation of
integrated security and development action plan and the
approach their can be replicated in other affected districts.

The government is also working on time-bound action
for augmenting state police forces, raising of special force,
suitable incentives to those posted in the difficult areas and
adherence of standard operating procedures by the forces
launching operations against extremists. PTI ACB
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