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Rabi Banerjee
Rabi Banerjee

INTERVIEW

Will finish off Maoists

21-Hansraj-Gangaram-Ahir Hansraj Gangaram Ahir | PTI

Interview/ Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, minister of state for home affairs

Hansraj Ahir, minister of state for home affairs, rushed to the spot when he was told about the Maoist attack in Sukma on April 24. In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, he says the government has asked the security forces to finish the Maoist threat for good. Excerpts:

Are you on a major onslaught against the Maoists?

Yes. After the Sukma incident we have asked security forces to carry out a major offensive. We have made major inroads.

The CRPF and the state police are claiming that they have hit the liberated zones for the first time.

Yes, they have done something. But I will not say we have finished them. It is yet to be done. More work needs to be done.

What is your strategy?

We have decided to adopt a two-pronged strategy. We have asked the forces to get inside their territory. They will either make them surrender or eradicate the menace permanently. But, that should not be done in a hurry. We have not set any deadline.

What is the blueprint?

We don’t make plans. It is the officials and the forces who do that. We have asked security officials to inform us about their requirements. Security officials are planning and making blueprints; the government is not. We are only facilitating them.

So, you have given the force autonomy.

Yes, they are trying their best. We cannot tell them that by this time you have to finish all Maoists. But we have asked them to finish the problem for ever.

But the Maoists are moving to other areas, especially the Western Ghats.

We will not let that happen. We will not let them spread further. We are in constant touch with the southern states and we will block their growth. But, I admit they made a solid attempt a few years ago.

Has the home ministry taken over all development programmes in the Maoist-infested zone?

Yes, we are doing it. There is no other way to run the Central schemes. By doing that we have ensured that all schemes are run in these zones.

Are you going to seek the Army’s help?

No, I believe the paramilitary and states’ special forces meant for Maoists will be able to solve this.

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The Week

Topics : #naxals | #terrorism

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