Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh says Telangana not helpful in tackling Maoists

Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has drawn the Centre’s attention to ‘lack of cooperation’ from the Telangana government in the operations against Maoists.

Mr Singh took up the matter with Union home minister Rajnath Singh during the latter’s two-day visit to the state last week, sources in the Chief Minister’s office (CMO) told the Deccan Chronicle. Mr Raman complained of lack of cooperation from Telangana government in the ongoing war against Maoists in Bastar, which borders four states, including Telangana. “Telangana government has a vital role in tackling Naxal menace in Bastar, considering the fact that the key Maoist leaders hail from that state”, a CMO official said.

According to the state home department, the Maoists had been on the back foot in south Bastar due to the Greyhound force of the undivided Andhra Pradesh. However, the interstate border has turned porous after the government of newly formed Telangana showed little enthusiasm to check interstate movement of Maoists.

“The non-cooperation by the Telangana government has gone to the extent that the Maoist leaders who have surrendered before TS police, are not being allowed to be taken into the custody of the Chhattisgarh police for interrogation”, a senior police officer posted in Bastar said. The Union minister has reportedly asked the Chhattisgarh minister to convene an urgent meeting with Telangana DGP to thrash out a solution to the issue.