Antony rejects Mamata's demand for use of army in Naxal areas

New Delhi, Oct 28 (PTI) Indian Defence Minister A K Antony
Wednesday rejected his cabinet colleague Mamata Banerjee's
demand for deployment of army in Maoist-affected areas of
eastern state of West Bengal, saying use of armed forces for
internal security was the "last resort".

"Whether in West Bengal or any other area, our view is
that employing armed forces for internal security is the last
resort. Only as the last resort we will deploy armed forces
in Naxal areas," he said.
His comments on Indian Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee's
demand in this regard came at a media interaction on the
sidelines of a Coast Guard Commanders' conference here in the
national capital.
The Trinamool Congress party chief had Tuesday demanded
that the Indian government should use army to recover arms
allegedly taken away by "CPI(M) goons" from the state armoury
in West Bengal.
Antony said law and order issues should be handled by
respective state governments and ruled out talks with Maoists
before they abjure violence. The government would "not
tolerate" attacks by the Left extremists, he said.
"What we are asking them is to abjure violence," Antony
said replying to queries if talks with the Naxals should be
unconditional.
Agreeing that Naxal violence was a serious threat to
internal security, Antony said the Indian government would
render all help to the affected states.
He said the government was of the view that tribal and
Maoist-affected states needed more development.
"But that is not an excuse for violence and bloodshed. The
government will not tolerate anyone taking law into their
hands," he said. (MORE) PTI NCB
ANU


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