Like Naxals, cops should also consolidate during talks: Patil

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has a novel advice for Directors General of Police to tackle the Naxalite problem. At the DGPs conference today, Patil said that just as Left-wing extremists will use the period of talks to regroup and strengthen themselves so should the police ‘‘regroup and strengthen’’ to counter them.

He said there was some apprehension, particularly among+ police and security agencies, that the Naxalites would use this opportunity (of talks with Andhra Pradesh Government) not only to consolidate but also to seize the initiative politically. Even the police and intelligence agencies should use this opportunity to consolidate, he added.

Concern was also expressed about the growing nexus of crime syndicates with terrorist organisations based abroad.