CM Presents Case of Rising Extremism in Bihar
New Delhi: Dec. 20, 2007
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, in the All India Chief Minister s' meet in New Delhi on Thursday, said that problem of Naxalism was not only limited to Bihar and in recent years it had had taken the form of domestic terrorism making it a national and international issue.
"The situation is so dire that the state alone cannot combat it on its own and must seek help from the Central government. Today we need a CBI-like federal entity that is invested in only countering Naxal surge in Bihar which remains vulnerable to extremist activities from within the state and those launching a proxy war from Nepal," Kumar said.
He, however, added that this did not mean any such federal outfit would have power to stifle local authorities or somehow damage the sovereignty of the state.
The Chief Minister said that the Naxalites were not only restricted in the rural parts of the state anymore and were spreading their deadly tentacles in the cities as well as proven by the recent arrests of several Maoists in Patna district.
"Today they are using highly sophisticated weapons and explosives and despite our best efforts, what used to be a minor problem in the state has now taken the shape of full-blown terrorism that the state alone cannot tackle. We need help from the Central government and need to indulge Nepal in a dialog to reduce domestic and cross-border insurgency that continues to take hundreds of lives each year," the Chief Minister said.
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