Chhattisgarh Maoist strike direct attack on freedom, say CMs

The May 25 Maoist strike in Chhattisgarh was a "direct attack on democracy and freedom", chief ministers of various states said in a unanimous resolution Wednesday.

"It was a direct attack on democracy and freedom. We strongly disagree with the ideology of the Maoists. They want to overthrow parliamentary democracy and Constitution of India through violent means... this must be resisted with all our might," said the resolution by the chief ministers at a conference on internal security.

The meeting was held agaist the backdrop of the May 25 attack in which at least 26 people, including senior Congress leaders, were killed.

"The attack was a premeditated attack on political workers to give the intent to intimidate all political workers in order to thwart the political mobilisation of the people. Twenty-six people lost their lives in the attack," the resolution said.

The chief ministers resolved to use all legitimate means at their disposal to counter the activities of the Communist Party of India-Maoist.

"We appeal to the youth of the affected states to give up violence and pursue their goals to legitimate and democratic means. We assure them that we are sensitive to their concerns and will make every effort to bring them into the mainstream of social and political life," the resolution added.

The internal security meeting, convened by the home ministry and inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, will deliberate extensively on the activities of Pakistan-based terrorist groups, infiltration from across the border, communal disturbances and ways of improving intelligence gathering mechanisms.