Centre mulling army action against Maoists, says AK Antony

Union defence minister AK Antony said on Monday that internal security issues have become as critical as external security threats.

The cabinet has been exploring various options to deal with Maoist insurgents and army action against the rebels cannot be ruled out, he said.

“The Centre has not taken any decision as yet. The cabinet is checking various angles and possibilities. Their decision will be binding on us,” Antony told reporters after reviewing the passing out parade of the 118th course of the National Defence Academy in Pune.

On Union home minister P Chidambaram’s recent comment of having a “limited mandate” to deal with Maoists, he said, “There is no split mandate in the government. We are one government with one voice. We discuss all problems threadbare.”

Referring to the German Bakery blast, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and the recent train derailment in West Bengal allegedly by Maoists, the defence minister said: “The government has decided to strengthen army, navy, air force and coast guards. We have decided to modernise the armed forces. India has become an arena for terror strikes. We have to be prepared,” he said.

When asked if the deployment of army would be increased in the North East, Antony said, “In the past, we ignored the roads in the border areas. We have realised our mistake.” He, however, ruled out the possibility of increasing the army’s presence in J&K in the light of the recent insurgency attacks.