Need to revisit anti-Naxal strategy: Chidambaram

As Maoists carried out their second major strike in as many months in Chhattisgarh today, Home Minister P Chidambaram said there was a need to revisit the anti-Naxal strategy in the light of the fact four states want use of air power against the ultra-Left extremists.

As Maoists carried out their second major strike in as many months in Chhattisgarh today, Home Minister P Chidambaram said there was a need to revisit the anti-Naxal strategy in the light of the fact four states want use of air power against the ultra-Left extremists.

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Replying to questions on the need for air-support to tackle the Naxal menace and the Cabinet Committee on Security's refusal to endorse the use of the same, Chidambaram said "I can implement the mandate that is given to me. But I believe that the collective wisdom is better than an individual statement."

Specifically asked whether he wanted air-support for the operations, the Minister told NDTV the security forces and Chief Ministers of Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Orissa all ask for air-support.

Chidambaram said he "tried" to convince the central government on the issue.

Asked if he was unhappy with the limited mandate, he said, "I took to the Cabinet Committee case for a larger mandate, I was given a limited mandate. I will go back to the cabinet committee, I have already spoken to the Prime Minister...

"We will go back to the cabinet committee to revisit that mandate in light of the revised strategy that the CPI (Maoist) is following of which we have enough evidence and intelligence."

He said the Naxals don't make a distinction between "Central and state police forces. They simply kill."