Union home secretary GK Pillai said on Friday the Centre had no plan to launch aerial attacks on Maoists. “We have never thought of this option,” he said in Bhubaneswar after a meeting to review the Orissa government’s preparedness to tackle the menace.
Pillai said Maoists were getting help from neighbouring countries. “They are getting Chinese weapons. Maoists are getting arms and ammunition from Myanmar and Bangladesh as well,” he said. Pillai, however, denied the Chinese government was involved. “I was misquoted on that,” he said.
Terming Maoists terrorists and Thursday’s train attack in Jharkhand an act of cowardice, Pillai said, “They have always hit soft targets such as schools, panchayat offices, communication towers and railway stations. I have no sympathy for Maoists who attack unarmed civilians.”
Asked if the Centre was planning a joint offensive with the Orissa government, he said the operation against Maoists was a continuous process.
“Orissa will get additional forces after the Jharkhand election. Talks are also on to provide a dedicated chopper to the state,” Pillai said, hinting at a major anti-Maoist offensive post assembly polls.
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