'Kerala committed to end Maoist threat, but not through force'

Congress-led UDF government in Kerala today said it was committed to end Maoist threat but made it clear that the activities of the Left Wing Extremists could not be suppressed through force.
State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the government was of the view that solution to all problems should be found through dialogues and peaceful way and not by using force.
"Government has no illusion that it could suppress Maoist threat by using force," he said in a Facebook post, but made it clear that government was committed to end the challenges posed by the banned outfit.
But it was not the intention of Kerala police to physically eliminate anybody through encounters. Government also did not want to crush any peaceful protest and violate the human rights of any person, he said.

Referring to media reports that Maoist leader Rupesh, who is now in jail, has planned to stage a sit-in dharna, the Minister said that it was a welcome step as "the Maoist leader has chosen a peaceful path instead of violence."
He appealed to Maoists to eschew violence and work for a new society.

Chennithala also said the government had 'succeeded' in preventing the efforts of Maoists to make inroads in the tribal areas of the state through its various development initiatives.
After the recent arrest of Rupesh and his group, who operated in the Western Ghats area, by Tamil Nadu police in Coimbatore, no major Maoist activity had been reported in Kerala, Chennithala said.

The state government also viewed very seriously the functioning of certain Maoist groups under the cover of Environment and Human rights outfits, he said.
Chennithala also wrote an open letter to Rupesh's two daughters -- Ami and Savera -- in his post and said he was sad that they were not getting the attention and presence of their father at a time when it was most needed.
"You are not responsible for the wrong path opted by your parents", Chennithala said, adding "I sincerely wish that your life should not be clouded due the activities of your father ...You should not fall into the false propaganda and should concentrate on your education," he added.

Rupesh, wanted in at least 20 cases in Kerala, and his wife Shyna, were arrested last month from Karumathampatti near Coimbatore.