Development necessary to root out Naxalism: Chhattisgarh governor

The Naxalites are obstructing development in the areas where they have a strong presence in Chhattisgarh, but the Government is trying to sow the seeds of growth to root out the menace, the Maoist-hit state's governor Shekhar Dutt said today.

"These people have closed a particular area from all kinds of development because it is their interest to see that no development takes place," he said.

"I think we have to gradually move in and the seeds of development must go into these places. Therefore, it is not something which can be done immediately. Immediately, it can be done. That is by force. But we are not using that kind of force," he told reporters on the sidelines of an event at the College of Defence Management (CDM) here.

To a query, the Chhattisgarh governor said the anti-Naxal operations is not like a traditional war in which  the security forces will have quick success.

"This is not that kind of a thing. It is regarding a number of people, the villagers are not allowed to do their own business. Own business does not mean just living in the forest areas. They must improve along with time. New technologies and communication must come. For communication, you need towers. If they destroy the (cell phone) towers, are they pro-people or against people?" he asked.

Earlier, Dutt, in his valedictory address to the CDM students, said the concept of security should not be confined to the application of force by the state.