"Don¿t Justify
Extremism" : Naidu
By Mohammed Shafeeq
Indo-Asian News Service
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has
called for media support for his government¿s efforts to end Maoist extremism,
saying violence cannot be justified in the name of any cause.
Unhappy with journalists for projecting the extremist
movement as a "socio-economic" issue, Naidu asked the media to
emulate their counterparts in the United States and rally behind his government
in dealing with the problem.
Naidu expressed his displeasure at a news conference
here on Wednesday when he was asked whether his government treated the
Naxalites, or Maoist extremists, as a law and order issue. The news conference
was organised to present 21 surrendered extremists before the media.
"It is not a question of socio-economic problem.
All sections of society have to unite to fight the problem of extremism,"
Naidu said.
"Is there any socio-economic problem behind
(Osama) bin Laden¿s attacks on the U.S.?" he asked, pointing out how the
media in the American was supporting the Bush administration¿s fight against
terrorism.
Naidu said social and economic problems were bound to
occur, but one could not justify killings in their name. "Society is important,
not a few individuals," he said.
The chief minister reiterated his appeal to
extremists to eschew the path of violence and join the mainstream. He assured
them of all help in their rehabilitation. He said the government would slowly
withdraw cases registered against the Naxalites once they surrender.
He, however, ruled out stopping operations against
the rebels as a precondition to holding talks with the extremists. "As per
the Constitution of India I have to maintain law and order. We are ready for
talks but we can¿t stop maintaining law and order," he said.
The Committee for Concerned Citizens has appealed to
the government and the People¿s War Group (PWG) -- the most powerful Maoist
extremist outfit in Andhra Pradesh -- to find a solution to the problem through
talks.
Naidu claimed that impoverished youths in rural areas
joined the extremist movement not because of its ideology but because rebels
misled them, exploiting their circumstances.
Twenty-one Naxalites have surrendered in the
districts of Warangal, Karimnagar and Adilabad in the last few days. All but
one of them carried a reward of Rs. 20,000 each on their head. Fifteen of them
belonged to the PWG while six were from the Janasakthi and Praja Pratighatana
groups.
Some of the surrendered Naxalites spoke on the reasons for their joining the movement and leaving it. The chief minister himself asked them questions, but some of their replies ended up embarrassing him and the police officers present.