Coimbatore: Maoists, who have stepped up
attacks on security forces particularly in Chhattisgarh, are
getting support from terror group Laskhar-e-Toiba, a top CRPF
official said on Wednesday.
"There are also reports that China is indirectly
supporting the extremists by way of providing weapons through
the borders of West Bengal and North East," CRPF IG M H Rawat
told reporters at CRPF Traning Centre at Kurudampalayam on the
city`s outskirts.
"Yes, it is true that they are getting support from LeT,"
he said.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh also said today
that the Naxals, whom he described as the biggest terrorists,
might have links with LeT.
In the latest major attack, Naxals killed 35 people,
including civilians in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.
Asked about suggestions for using air power to deal with
Naxal insurgency, he said it was not possible immediately as
there were certain problems, including the safety of local
population.
It was difficult to detect carefully-laid landmines and
there should be well-trained personnel to defuse them, he
said, adding efforts were on to keep a strict vigil on border
areas to prevent weapons being smuggled in from neighbouring
countries.
Moreover, the insurgents were procuring arms from across
the unfenced border, particularly Bangladesh, he said.
The government has to undertake welfare measures in
Naxal-hit areas and the benefits should reach even the last
person so that socio economic issues could be addressed, which
would see the end of menace in the area, he said.
The CRPF is evolving different strategies to meet the
challenges posed by Maoists, including taking local people
into confidence and also strengthening intelligence, Rawat
said.
PTI
