Home ministry meet to seek change in anti-Maoist strategy
May 18th, 2010 - 4:15 pm ICT by IANS
New Delhi, May 18 (IANS) A day after Leftwing rebels massacred 35 people in Chhattisgarh, India’s top security officials, including Home Secretary G.K. Pillai, will meet here Tuesday evening seeking a change in the anti-Maoist strategy, an official said.
The second deadliest Maoist attack in about 40 days has alarmed the security establishment and there are suggestions that the offensive against the Maoist insurgents be more pro-active, the official said.
Hours after Monday’s attack, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said the government would have to “revisit” its anti-Maoist strategy and that he would try to convince the cabinet on the need for air support to back police action on the ground.
“The security forces want it (air support). The chief ministers of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, have all asked for air support,” Chidambaram told NDTV.
The suggestion to use air strikes against Maoists has been contentious with vehement opposition from within the government as well as from civil society groups.
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- Maoist violence down, says Chidambaram - Jun 14, 2011
- Government outraged over Maoist massacre; BJP wants 'fight to finish' (Lead) - Apr 06, 2010
- Cabinet meet on security to review Maoist policy - May 31, 2010
- Manmohan Singh calls high level meet to review Naxal strategy - May 18, 2010
- Congress does not rule out air power against Maoists - Apr 09, 2010
- Maoists blast civilian bus in Chhattisgarh, 35 dead (Roundup) - May 18, 2010
- No differences between Digvijay, Chidambaram: Congress - Jul 19, 2010
- Maoist-affected states can hire private choppers - Aug 23, 2011
- Need to revisit anti-Maoist policy: Chidambaram - May 17, 2010
- Digvijay Singh opposes use of air power against Maoists - May 18, 2010
- It is for government to decide about air support: Congress - May 18, 2010
- Government admits failure in Chhattisgarh operation - Apr 06, 2010
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