Strong steps needed to crush Maoists: Omar

Expressing condolences to families of those killed in maoists attack on a convoy of Congress party in Bastar belt of Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said strong steps are needed to wipe out maoists.
"We condemn the attacks in Chhattisgarh--we also express sympathies with the families who have lost their nears and dears-- we condole their deaths.
"There are some elected representatives killed in the attack--PCC chief and his son have also been killed--from me and my colleagues, we condole the deaths and convey messages of condolences to their families," Omar said.
"To wipe out them (maoists), there is need to take strong and stern steps (by the State and Central governments)", Omar told reporters soon after inauguration of 4th bridge on river Tawi in Jammu city this afternoon.

Omar, who also laid foundation stone of Bikram Chowk flyover project in the city, said "Both Centre and state governments of those (maoist-hit) states should take strong steps--because maoist attacks cannot be stopped easily".
Chief Minister further said, "On 5th or 6th of June, there is internal security conference, which has been called (in New Delhi).The activities of maoists should be discussed separately".

27 people, including Chhattisgarh Congress chief Nandkumar Patel and his son Dinesh, senior leader Mahendra Karma, ex-MLA Uday Mudliyar, were killed and 32 others injured in the Maoist ambush in the forested area of Bastar district yesterday.

Replying to a question why this time Maoists have attacked political setup rather than their usual target-- security forces, Omar said, "As the political activities have increased, they (Maoists) are finding for soft targets to hit them--political targets are always soft (to hit)--Our works is to be within the people".
Pointing towards the elections in Chhattisgarh, Omar said "Chhatisgarh elections preparations were going on--that is why they (Maoists) took benefits of it".
Replying to question on security lapses, Chief Minister said "Because there was a former Chief Minister, elected representatives, PCC President were there--in this situation, if such an attack takes place, it is evident that (security) preparation on the ground, was not perhaps done".