Chidambaram seeks more mandate to fight menace

The second violent attack by the Naxals at Dantewada in Chhattisgarh in less than two months has forced the Union home ministry to rethink its strategies against the rebels.

Talking to a news channel, a visibly disturbed Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said he had “limited mandate” to fight the menace and had asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for more.

“I had tried to convince the government on air support earlier…I have limited mandate. After today’s incident, I have spoken to the Prime Minister and asked for more mandate.” Chidambaram told the news channel.

At least 35 people, including civilians and security personnel, were feared killed today after the bus carrying them was blown up by the rebels on the Dantewada-Sukma road in Chhattisgarh.

Sources in the government suggest that the home ministry would renew its demand to take the help of the air force to fight the Naxals. Chidambaram gave enough hints on this issue when he pointed out that chief ministers of all the Naxal-affected states had agreed to using air power against the insurgents.

After the worst-ever Naxal attack in the same Dantewada last month where 76 security personnel were killed, there was a raging debate in the government establishment over the use of armed forces, especially the Indian Air Force, to wipe out the Naxals in various states.

After today’s incident, Chidambaram made it clear that the current policy needed to be reviewed.

The home minister also admitted that Chhattisgarh and Orissa had emerged as the latest flashpoint for Naxal menace. “Naxals don’t discriminate, they just kill people,” Chidambaram said while reacting to the killings.He also took a dig at civil society activists who have showered sympathy for the Naxal elements.