Redefine News

On Monday (02/112009), defence minister A K Antony ruled out the use of Army against Maoists but said violence perpetrated by them would be dealt with firmly.

"The Army is the last resort in internal security measures and the government does not intend to use it against Maoist activities," he told reporters.

Antony said that the Centre was prepared to extend any support, including providing paramilitary forces to deal with any internal security problem.

The role of defence forces was different and the Army would be the last resort in settling problems in states, he said.

"No one including Maoists, will be allowed to take law into their own hands," Antony said.

Meanwhile, Union Home Secretary G K Pillai said the country should be prepared for an armed revolution. In the same breath, he described the hijacking incident as nothing but “publicity stunt” planned and executed by armed Maoists and not by the local outfit People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities. He said the Maoists used tribals as their front for carrying out the hijack.

The Home Ministry which held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the Maoist onslaught scrutinised an almost “ineffective role” of the Government Railway Police and the Railway Protection Force.

Meanwhile, CPM general secretary Prakash Karat questioned Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee’s links with the Naxals. Karat said the Maoists did not get embolden because of the swap deal. The Trinamool should realise that the very people who put a front for Maoists in Lalgarh were behind the train attack, he said.