The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, has reiterated that Naxalism continues to be a major internal security challenge and that the government has never underestimated the problem it posed.

Addressing a press conference recently, the Prime Minister said the government’s strategy was two-pronged—initiating several developmental works in the Naxal-prone regions as well as countering the Naxalites in no uncertain terms. Both the Centre and the state governments were at it.

“I have been saying for the last three years that Naxalism remains the biggest internal security challenge facing our country,” he said. “I have spoken to the Chief Ministers of the states many times on the Naxal issue. The Chief Ministers understand that it is imperative to control Naxalism for the country’s growth.”.

On terrorism, the Prime Minister emphatically stated that the government is determined to ‘squarely tackle’ such acts. “Terrorism is a major national security issued and it has no religion.”