PM talks tough: No quarter for Naxals

At a time when some Cong leaders are questioning concerted police action against Naxals, Manmohan Singh sent out a strong message against left-wing extremism on Wednesday, calling for action to root out the problem, reports Aloke Tikku. See special

At a time when some Congress leaders are questioning concerted police action against Naxals, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sent out a strong message against left-wing extremism on Wednesday, calling for action to root out the problem.

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“No quarter can be given to those who have taken upon themselves to challenge the authority of the Indian state and fabric of our democratic polity,” the prime minister said in one of his strongest message targeting the Maoists so far.

The prime minister’s assertion came at his inaugural address on the occasion of Civil Service Day on Wednesday.

Some officials said Singh’s choice of words indicated a sense of clarity in the government’s approach. “Recent events have underscored the need for urgent and considered action to root out this problem,” Singh said, in an oblique reference to the massacre of 76 policemen in Dantewada.

Acknowledged that many areas in which such extremism flourishes are under-developed, he said, “It is incumbent upon us to ensure that no area of our country is denied the benefits of our ambitious developmental programmes,” he said.