Government says some NGOs supporting pro- Naxal groups

Government on Wednesday said it has information that some NGOs are supporting issues raised by pro-Maoist groups in the country. "No inputs are available to indicate that the NGOs are providing any financial or material assistance to the Left Wing Extremism groups. However, some NGOs are supporting the issues raised by the pro-LWE groups. They have participated in the demonstrations/meetings/conferences organised by such groups," Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

"The CPI (Maoist) have a number of front organisations active in many states of India. They resort to overground activities to mobilise support for the CPI (Maoist) and espouse their cause. The overground front organisations also provide safe hideouts to armed cadres. The front organisations also facilitate procurement of supplies etc to the Maoist war machinery.

"They initiate legal action on various issues to slow down the enforcement regime and are adept at dissemination of propaganda and disinformation to demonise the state and the security forces," he said. The activities of these organisations are closely monitored and suitable action, wherever warranted, is taken by the state governments concerned, the minister said.