New Delhi: The Central Government is all geared up and continue the fight against Naxals till they give up violence. Union Home minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday said that the India Air Force (IAF) could take counter measures if attacked.
Chidambaram was responding to questions about the IAF seeking permission to open fire in self-defence if its helicopters came under Naxal attack.
It appears that the beheading of Jharkhand Police officer Francis Induwar is prompting the Union Government to get tough with Naxals and for the first time the IAF may get the right to return fire on Naxals in the event of an attack.
IAF's request and the Centre's battle plan is part of a tough offensive against the Naxals and will be discussed at the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting on Thursday.
The IAF will take effective counter measures. I cannot say anything more than that," said Chidambaram.
While Chidambaram was non committal about the possibility, the CCS is also likely to discuss some contentious proposals of the new Naxal policy such as allowing use of para battalions of the Indian Army like the Rashtriya Rifles to fight the Naxals. It may also allow the use of air power in a way that it does not lead to collateral damage in the states where they will begin the offensive.
All India Congress Committee General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on tour to Kerala on Wednesday said that to curb Naxalism the government must ensure that development reaches the people.
"The government needs to take development to the people. Where ever you find development is taking place, where ever you find people involved in the political system, involved in the democratic system, Naxalism will not take over," said Rahul Gandhi.
But politics may come in the way of the smooth implementations several Naxal-hit states are ruled by Opposition parties.
"State government's which consider Centre as a nuisance, as interference have suffered because of their attitude. Two examples come to mind, one is West Bengal, the other is Orissa," said Chidambaram.
The Francis Induwar beheading comes when the Centre is set to launch an all out offensive against the Naxals.
Even as the Congress tries to link Naxalism with development or the lack of it, the fact is the United Progressive Alliance has to first find answers on how to boost the morale of the men on the ground and more importantly what to do if more police personnel are held hostage.
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