We are willing to talk to our own people.

“But we are always prepared to meet everyone who is willing to meet us. The Prime Minister said he favours a dialogue with all groups. Chief Minister of the State is encouraged to meet all groups. Talking to our won people — what is the reservation? There is no reservation at all.

Primary role and responsibility to fight Left-wing extremism lay with the state governments

The central government, he said, will assist the states in "every way - including deploying central paramilitary forces, sharing intelligence and funding - for both development schemes and security needs".


"The government is confident that the problem of Left-wing extremism will be met with determination and overcome in the next three years," Chidambaram said at the third meeting of the panel on the Maoist problem.


It was agreed to continue with the two-pronged strategy of development and police action.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has repeatedly described the Maoist problem as the "gravest" security threat India faces.

According to home ministry data, the Leftist rebels have carried out at least 500 attacks, killing nearly 350 people in nine states in the last three months. Chhattisgarh has recorded the highest number of such strikes, parliament was told on Wednesday.

Describing the Maoists, the Home Minister said that, they conduct their business in violation of the laws, they collect rents, but don’t pay taxes and direct that money against the State.

He also stressed that Naxal affected states like Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh needed some more time to built, as those states are passing through a very difficult phase.

Expressing unhappiness with the progress of the anti-naxal operations, Chidambaram said that he was not fully satisfied with the results. He admitted that there are some areas where the security forces need to be more active.

When Manmohan Singh speaks, world listens: Obama