Chhattisgarh govt may rethink anti-Naxal strategy

Chhattisgarh government may consider making necessary changes in its anti-Naxal strategy in the wake of the Dantewada attack which left 76 security men dead, home minister Nanki Ram Kanwar said today.

After receiving the full report on yesterday's attack, the government will review its policy on tackling the Naxal menace, and if required, necessary changes would be made, he said today.

The security forces had achieved "success" in their anti-Naxal operations in the last few years, fuelling hope that the situation will improve in worst-hit districts like Dantewada and Bastar. However, the fight against the Maoists is going to be a long-drawn affair, the minister said.

Naxalism is spreading its tentacles in the country and has become a matter of grave concern for those who believe in democracy. Besides the security personnel, all democrats should join the anti-Naxal fight, Kanwar said.

Meanwhile, main opposition Congress has slammed the state's BJP government accusing it of failing to effectively counter the Maoists and demanded its dismissal.

Leader of the opposition Ravindra Chaubey said the Centre has extended full cooperation in fighting the Naxals, but the state government has "failed" to effectively counter the menace.

The Dantewada attack reflects intelligence failure, the Congress leader charged.