In a criticism of the role of security forces in the Dantewada massacre by Maoists,Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today called their actions thoughtless. Speaking on Naxalism at a meeting in Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University,he said: I did not lose my nerve,I was just so heartbroken. That an IG,two DIGs and an SP,thoughtlessly,without plan,would have sent on a recce 76 policemen.. With protesters gathered outside the auditorium where he was addressing the meeting,Chidambaram emphasised that the government didnt treat the Maoists as an enemy,and that it recognised the need to understand their problems. These setbacks should not make us nervous or fearful. These setbacks mean we are confronting an adversary I do not use the word enemy who is a powerful adversary with a structure that we must understand, he said. The Home Minister added that it was the Maoists who used the words war and enemy. They use the word enemy. Look at the interviews given by Kishenji,Azad,Ganapathy.. it is they who use the words war and enemy. I have said that we do not regard this as a war,we do not regard them as an enemy. We think they are completely misguided,we think there is no place for armed liberation struggle,and we think that it is the legitimate right of the state to restore law and order and put down armed liberation struggle, he said. The late-night meeting on Naxalism: A threat to Indian Democracy and Internal Security was organised by the Congress-backed National Students Union of India at JNUs School of Social Sciences. It began at 9.30 pm in the tradition of the universitys dinner meetings. Chidambaram shed his usual attire for an informal shirt and trousers for the exchange with animated students. There was a capacity audience listening to his half-an-hour long speech,even as the sloganeering by various left-leaning students organisations,including the All India Students Association and the Democratic Students Union,continued outside. In a disappointment for students,the organisers insisted on taking only written questions for the interactive session,despite students protests. At one point,Chidambaram intervened to stop women security staff as they restrained a student activist. Chidambaram told the students the government was ready for talks if the Maoists abjured violence. I would persuade the Prime Minister to suspend all mining MoUs until the talks take place, he further offered. If they will simply say no more violence. He ended his speech on a positive note. Ultimately,we will win. We will overcome,and our idea of India will prevail, he said.
