Raman: Air power not advisable

May 20, 2010 - Age Correspondent |

New Delhi

Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh on Wednesday maintained that using air power to tackle the Naxal menace was not advisable. The Congress, on the subject of the use of air power against the Maoists, said it was for the government to decide and that there was no difference within the party on the matter.

Dubbing the Maoists as “terrorists”, the Chhattis-garh CM, while talking to reporters, said a change was needed in the anti-Naxal strategy as the rebels too had altered tactics, shifting from what they call guerrilla warfare to “mobile warfare”. “We will have to change our strategy. But I don’t recommend the use of air power as Chhattisgarh has a dense forest cover inhabited by tribals and, if any such attack is launched, then our men will suffer greatly,” Mr Singh said.
He added: “Chhattisgarh is not the Pakistan border. This is not a war. We just cannot think of using air power against the Maoists in the state. Bombing is not possible in these areas.” Mr Singh will meet PM Manmohan Singh on Thursday.

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