Naxalism biggest threat to peace and security: FM

Calling Naxalism the "biggest threat" to peace and security in the country, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday said he is concerned about it's spread to economically backward areas and asked the Central Reserve Police Force to handle the situation with sensitivity.

"I am particularly concerned over the spread of left-wing extremism in some of the more backward areas of the economy. In part, it is a reflection of our failure in meeting the expectations of the local people," Mukherjee said while officiating as the chief guest at the 71st Raising Day celebrations of CRPF in the national capital.

The government has deployed almost 60,000 personnel of the CRPF to undertake anti-Naxal operations in various states affected by Maoist activities. "Maoist threat is one of the biggest threat to peace and security. It is easy to misguide people who have been denied their legitimate demands or deprived of their rights and where the state has not shown adequate sensitivity in sharing and mitigating the local concerns," said Mukherjee.

"However, implementation of any corrective public measures requires a certain degree of normalcy to prevail in the affected areas," he added.

"It is vital to dovetail the developmental efforts of the state in these areas with your operational strategy and practice. While we should be firm, decisive and unrelenting in dealing with the armed component of the extremism, a great degree of sensitivity, patience and maturity will have to be exhibited in dealing with the general population in the affected areas," he said after reviewing the parade of the world's largest paramilitary force which has a strength of 3 lakh personnel.

"I urge you security forces to handle the situation with sensitivity and a firm resolve with a view to bring back the disgruntled elements of the society into the mainstream of developmental process," he said.

"Today the peace and security of the country is being challenged by threats emanating from cross-border terrorism, insurgency in north eastern areas and the emergence of left-wing extremism in certain parts of the country. These have direct implications not only for the development and prosperity of the affected regions but also affect the overall well being of our society. We need to address these concerns urgently and in totality," the FM said.

Mukherjee said that the writ of the constitution should be implemented across the country.

"We as the custodians of the Indian constiution have a moral, ethical and legal responsibility to ensure that the writ of the constitution runs throughout the length and breadth of the country with no exceptions. It is our solemn duty to confront all forces which stand in the way of implementing it's provisions. Herein lies the biggest challenge before the security forces," he said.

"The government on its part has approved an integrated action plan for the districts affected by Left-wing extremism recently. It covers 60 tribal and backward districts where a grant of Rs 25 and Rs 30 crore per district would be implemented during 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively," he said.

Mukherjee specially devoted some parts of his speech for the officials of the force, which he called as the "lead response agency" in case of any disturbance.

 "A great responsibility rests on the senior and middle level officers to provide the required leadership in all areas of operations. Training, capacity building and the use of appropriate technology and firearms has to be an integral part of the strategic build-up to address these concerns decisively," he said.

"At the same time it is equally important to create and strengthen the necessary environment for democratic and inclusive development to take root in the affected areas. The enhanced security threat in the affected areas have to be met squarely with increased capacity building measures, professionalism and sharing of intelligence inputs by the stakeholders," he added.

Mukherjee assured CRPF personnel that government is fully committed to provide necessary assistance like housing facilities for the personnel who are on continuous deployment.

Speaking on the occasion, CRPF chief K Vijay Kumar said the force has successfully and rapidly been able to change its role and duties at minimum notice.