No difference among party, govt on naxal issue: Congress

Congress today dismissed reports that there were differences among the party and the government over tackling of the naxal menace, insisting that all are on the same page.

Congress today dismissed reports that there were differences among the party and the government over tackling of the naxal menace, insisting that all are on the same page.

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"On naxalism, the policy of Home Minister P Chidambaram, thoughts of Digvijay Singh, Congress party and the policies of UPA I and II are the same," party spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said when asked about "differences" between Chidambaram and Singh on the sensitive issue.

"There should be a holistic view. Development is important. The genuine grievances of people should be looked into, but if somebody believes only in violence and indulges in extortion in the name of Maoism, they should be dealt with firmly," Ahmed said.

Asked about the statement of Chidambaram on LTTE leader Prabhakaran, killed by Sri Lankan security forces last year, Ahmed said no civilised society will advocate the path of violence.

"No civilised society will support the path of violence," he said, adding the Home minister had only said that initially Prabhakaran was not an enemy.

The spokesman also maintained that the Government was for rehabilitation of Tamil refugees in the island nation.