Naxal violence continues to rise: PM

Describing Left wing extremism as the gravest internal security threat, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today called for a nuanced strategy to tackle naxal violence which, despite best efforts of the security forces, continues in many parts of the country.    

Addressing a conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of Police, Singh said it has been consistently held that Left wing extremism was perhaps the gravest internal security threat the country was facing.

"We have not achieved as much success as we would have liked in containing it. It is a matter of concern that despite our efforts, the level of violence in the affected states continues to rise," he said.    

The Prime Minister said a nuanced strategy was required to deal with the problem as it cannot be treated simply as a law and order problem. 

"Despite its sanguinary nature, the movement manages to retain the support of a section of the tribals and the poorest of the poor in many areas. It has influence among sizable sections of civil society, the intelligentsia and the youth. It still retains a certain plan," he said. 

Singh said all this adds to the complexity of the problem and "I expect you to keep this in mind as you devise newer and better strategies to deal with the problem".