HYDERABAD: After heavily publicising for weeks the government’s intention to launch an attack on Maoist headquarters in the jungles of Chhattisgarh, Union home minister P Chidambaram on Friday took a U-turn by saying that the proposed ‘Operation Green Hunt’ was an invention of the media. All that the Centre was doing was to help the states by deploying paramilitary forces in the fight against Left-wing extremism, the home minister announced at the passing out parade of IPS probationers in Hyderabad.
The home minister’s statement was greeted with disbelief but analysts said that it had much to do with the criticism that the Union government offensive would degenerate into a full scale war against tribals who inhabit the territory occupied by Maoists. Analysts said that there was no other way that Maoists could be distinguished from tribals and in the offensive the latter would end up bearing the brunt.
“The government of India is ready to face any challenge including the threat from Maoists. Law and order is a state subject. Therefore, primarily the states should carry out all counter-insurgency measures and ensure that the administration is in complete government control. However, the Centre would continue helping the Maoist-affected states with paramilitary forces, intelligence and technical assistance,” Chidamabaram said.
Chidambaram said he was not aware of the reported statement of the Maoists that they had agreed to a dialogue with the government. “I have not seen that statement. Therefore, I will not comment,” he quipped.
Chidambaram confirmed the Pakistan link to the aborted LeT plan to attack major targets in India. He said that the US administration had informed him about the details of the design prepared by terrorists, two of whom were arrested by the FBI. The arrest of a few others in Pakistan in the same terror plot indicated the involvement of that country, he said.
The home minister urged the media not to create panic by unduly highlighting the first anniversary of the 26/11 attack on Mumbai. “The security forces are vigilant and perfectly capable of thwarting any attack. There is no reason to raise alarm,” he said.
The home minister’s statement was greeted with disbelief but analysts said that it had much to do with the criticism that the Union government offensive would degenerate into a full scale war against tribals who inhabit the territory occupied by Maoists. Analysts said that there was no other way that Maoists could be distinguished from tribals and in the offensive the latter would end up bearing the brunt.
“The government of India is ready to face any challenge including the threat from Maoists. Law and order is a state subject. Therefore, primarily the states should carry out all counter-insurgency measures and ensure that the administration is in complete government control. However, the Centre would continue helping the Maoist-affected states with paramilitary forces, intelligence and technical assistance,” Chidamabaram said.
Chidambaram said he was not aware of the reported statement of the Maoists that they had agreed to a dialogue with the government. “I have not seen that statement. Therefore, I will not comment,” he quipped.
Chidambaram confirmed the Pakistan link to the aborted LeT plan to attack major targets in India. He said that the US administration had informed him about the details of the design prepared by terrorists, two of whom were arrested by the FBI. The arrest of a few others in Pakistan in the same terror plot indicated the involvement of that country, he said.
The home minister urged the media not to create panic by unduly highlighting the first anniversary of the 26/11 attack on Mumbai. “The security forces are vigilant and perfectly capable of thwarting any attack. There is no reason to raise alarm,” he said.
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