Now panel asks Patil to clarify Govt Naxal policy

Another committee member Rajya Sabha MP Balbir K. Punj was reportedly for tackling Left Wing Extremism with ‘‘an iron hand.’’

Patil tried to clarify that the Centre had not asked the police forces of various states ‘‘not to act.’’ He, however, insisted their stress was on dialogue and to get the Naxalites to give up their reliance on arms: ‘‘We want to follow a holistic approach — talking, development and action with the help of armed forces, where necessary,.”

The Home Minister admitted the members had asked the government to exercise caution in talking to the Naxalites, and also others who were willing to talk. The members, he said, also favoured review of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act to ‘‘make it more humane and less draconian.’’