New Delhi : In a fresh bid to bring the Maoists to the table, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday appealed to them to abjure violence, come forward for talks and to join hands with the government for accelerated social and economic growth in the backward areas.
"We will deal firmly with those who resort to violence. I once again appeal to Naxalites to abjure violence, come to talks with government and join hands with us to accelerate social and economic development," Singh said addressing the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on 64th Independence Day here.
Committing to his government's resolve to deal firmly on internal security, Singh said the Centre would provide "all possible help" to states to "maintain the rule of law" in areas affected by Naxalism.
The Prime Minister also promised to fully implement the consensus that emerged in the meeting he held with Chief Ministers of Naxal-affected states and stressed the importance of both the Centre and state governments working together to meet the challenge posed by the ultras. "It is imperative that the Centre and the states work together to meet the challenge of Naxalism.
It would be very difficult for any state to tackle this problem without cooperation from the Centre and coordination between states. We all need to rise above our personal and political interests to meet this challenge," he said. PTI
