New Delhi: Maoist attacks are on the rise. In the first two phases of the Lok Sabha elections, over a dozen people were killed in coordinated Maoist strikes across Chattisgarh , Jharkhand and Orissa.
Now, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has a 100-day plan to tackle the Naxals. First there'll be police action to clear Naxals from an area, and only then will development follow.
This policy change comes amid reports of Maoists are getting help from rebels in northeast for weapons and training. Worse is that the Naxal rebels are extorting local bodies, taking the funds meant for development and infrastructure.
This is what is expected:
- A coordinated and simultaneous push against Maoists from states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa.
- Coordinated action against Maoist.
- Corner Maoists by blocking supply routesand operating space.
- Cornering leadership and hardcore cadre.
However, going on the offensive against the Naxals won't be easy. Chidambaram's biggest challenge will be to establish a single command and control structure. That won't be easy, given the number of states and agencies involved.