Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh stunned media persons in Delhi on Wednesday, hinting at a possible link between the left wing extremists and Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
“Though I have no confirmation, some facts have come to light indicating that Maoists may have some connection with Lashkar (LeT) militants. The manner in which they are using improved explosive devices (IEDs), explosives and weapons with 100% technical surety shows they are being trained by experts,” the CM said.
Dubbing Maoists as the “biggest terrorists”, Singh called for a need to change the strategy to fight Maoists “as they have also altered tactics from waging guerrilla warfare to mobile war”. He however, maintained that aerial strikes in Maoist-infested areas was not an option as it would cause “collateral damage”.
Singh’s statement drew a strong reaction from AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh, who has been vocal in his criticism of Raman Singh. “It’s an outrageous remark. How can the CM make an unsubstantiated statement like this?” Digvjay said. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi, said, “If he (Raman Singh) has facts on LeT backing Maoists, then he should immediately share the information with the Centre.”
Giving details of Maoists’ activities in the state in the past 10 years, the Chhattisgarh CM said Maoists killed more than 1000 civilians and over 650 policemen besides blowing up 132 electric towers, 106 school buildings and three hospitals. “The killing of civilians on Monday was not an isolated incident,” he asserted.
He, however, acknowledged that his government was receiving adequate support from prime minister Manmohan Singh and home minister P Chidambaram in anti-Maoist operations in the state. “Some people feel they are experts on the subject (of naxalism) and continuously issue statements after every Maoist attack. The issue should be kept away from politics,” Singh said.
This came in for a scathing attack from Digvijay, who claimed that “the Singh is going scott free although law and order is a state subject”.
