| Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy has urged the
Centre to improve inter-State network and communication facilities in
areas of the State that witnessed naxal activities.
Speaking at the Chief Ministers’ conference on internal security
convened by the Prime Minister in New Delhi on Monday, Dr. Reddy said
the traditional causes championed by naxalites (land issues) were now
replaced by new issues such as globalisation, establishment of Special
Economic Zones (SEZs), displacement of population, etc.
Accordingly, their appeal had come down in rural areas except where
there was industrial activity (such as bauxite mining, construction of
major irrigation projects and displacement of people). The strategy of
the State was successful in reducing the Maoist aggression in Andhra
Pradesh in spite of the fact that they were quite active across the
State borders.
Dr. Reddy said his government was now engaged in consolidation of
the success against naxalites by stepping up administrative and welfare
works in the formerly affected areas. The Centre should extend its help
in developing proper infrastructure in interior areas. “It is a
well-known fact that the main strength of Maoists is the inaccessible
terrain,” he said. |
