New Delhi, September 14: Home Minister P. Chidambaram, while speaking at the conference of state police chiefs, on Monday reiterated that the Maoist were forging ties with insurgents in the Northeast to spread their area of influence.
“In a bid to expand its influence it (Communist Party of India-Maoist) has been seeking alliance with secessionists and northeast insurgents… it is also lending support to their secessionist demands,” said Chidambaram.
He expressed concern on the greater sophistication in the attacks of Maoists.
Chidambaram also added that “The Naxals besides targeting police, police informers and inimical forces are laying greater emphasis on targeting infrastructure like roads, bridges.”
The home minister spelt out that a modern police act, mega city policing, upgradation of forensic science laboratory and prison reforms are the key focus areas.
He said that scourge of Naxalism was a big challenge for the security establishment. With 200 districts across 20 states affected, it was a threat, he said, that can no longer be ignored.
Terror factories running on full steam
Chidambaram reiterates that terror factories in Pakistan were running on full steam.
Chidambaram said India was facing mounting security challenges from jihadis camping in Pakistan. He, however, buttressed that his ministry was on guard against all of them.
The home minister again sounded a warning to Pakistan, reiterating zero tolerance against terror. Fresh from his America visit, Chidambaram said that despite mounting pressure on Pakistan, the threat of cross border terror had not subsided.
–PTI