PC happy with offensive against Naxalites

The Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram today expressed satisfaction over the progress of the on-going offensive launched by the security forces against the Naxalites in the insurgency-hit states.

"The progress of the joint operation against the Naxalites that is a few weeks old is satisfactory and it will be more satisfactory as the operation proceed," Chidambaram told reporters here this afternoon after a high-level meeting convened to review the progress of the operation.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh, chief minister of Orissa Naveen Patnaik and home minister of Maharashtra RR Patil attended the meeting which lasted for about two hours. Senior police officials of the Naxal-infested states and para-military forces engaged in the operation were also present.

Chidambaram made it clear that the goal of the operation against the rebels was not to engage in gunbattles, invite unnecessary violence and colateral damages. The operation would re-assert the establishment of civil administration in the affected pockets and regain control over the territories (that are under Naxal control), the union home minister said.

Once the forces that would move into the areas regain control, the administration would be allowed to exercise the coordination of taking up development works in the areas. The three states (Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Maharashtra) have agreed to cooperate and coordinate in the joint operation.

The Home minister said there was no such operation called 'green hunt' going on in the country. "A senior officer of a state had coined the term," he said. The joint operation is nothing but troop and technology that the Centre is providing to the states to deal with the Naxal menace, he added.

Replying to a question, Chidambaram said Vanvasi Chetana Ashram director Himanshu Kumar had met him and invited for public hearing in Dantewada. I told him clearly that the chief minister (Raman Singh) must accompany him to Dantewada, Chidambaram said.

The Home minister said Kumar had informed about organising some Pad yatra that he cancelled later. There was no programme of visiting Dantewada to attend the public hearing as there was no confirmation about the date and programme (from the organiser), he added.