Special force to fight Naxalism: Prime Minister

''This is a campaign of the war; it is nothing more or less than a form of war. They use it to discredit the revolutionary struggle. This campaign has gained strength from September 11 When the twin towers fell in the United States and everyone began talking about terrorism, the Indian government started calling the Peoples Movement and all the revolutionary organizations in India and the world "terrorists''

ANEEB


Admitting that naxal groups have succeeded in enlarging their base, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday asked the states to establish specialised and dedicated forces needed to cripple the ''virus''.

''Although the notions of a red corridor from Nepal to Andhra Pradesh are exaggerated, we have to admit that they have achieved some degree of success in enlarging their areas of militancy,'' Singh said while addressing the Chief Ministers conference on internal security in New Delhi.

Making a special mention of the recent jail break incident at Dantewada district of Chattisgarh, the Prime Minister said this was not an isolated incident. ''Not a day passes without an incident of Left-wing extremism taking place somewhere or the other,'' he said.

Observing that over the last years, the activities of naxal groups have revealed new aspects, targeting vital economic establishments and eliminating important political leaders, Singh said ''...we cannot rest in peace till we have eliminated this virus.

''We need to cripple Naxalite forces with all the means at our command,'' he said and asked the states to set up specialised and dedicated forces to combat extremism.

The conference, which was barred for media coverage, is being organised by the Home Ministry and is also being attended by Chief Secretaries, Directors General of Police, chiefs of para-military forces and intelligence agencies.