Indian PM vows to control Naxalite insurgency

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addresses a press conference marking the first anniversary of the second term of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in New Delhi, capital of India, May 24, 2010. (Xinhua/Partha Sarkar) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Monday that it was imperative for the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Center to control Naxalite insurgency as it was the biggest internal security challenge.

At a national press conference held here to mark the completion of one year of second term of the UPA government, or UPA-II, Singh said that his government has not under-estimated the problem of the extreme left-wing insurgency.

"I have been saying for the last three years that Naxalism remains the biggest internal security challenge facing our country, " he said.

The Prime Minister denied that there were any differences between the governments at the Center and the states on the issue of Naxalism.

He asserted that he was not going to retire as he has some unfinished tasks to complete but said he is ready to make way for younger leadership if the Congress party so desires.

"I have been given this task of Prime Ministership. It is still unfinished. Till I finish the tasks there is no question of retirement," Singh said in response to a query.

However, he said that he was ready to make way for "anybody".

"Let me say that I sometimes feel that younger people should take over. As and when the Congress party makes that judgment I will be very happy to make place for anybody the Congress party decides," Singh said.


【1】 【2】 【3】 【4】