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Lay down arms and return to mainstream: Govt appeal to Maoists

by IBNS 12 Nov 2014, 11:59 pm

New Delhi, Nov 13 (IBNS): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday appealed the Left Wing Extremists (LWE) to lay down arms and join the mainstream.

Addressing the CRPF Diamond Jubilee Parade in Gurgaon, Rajnath said that Naxals and Maoists, operating in certain parts of India, should abjure violence. 

He added that in a democracy like India, there was no place for violence and the Naxals should join the mainstream. 

Delivering a rousing and inspiring address to the CRPF men, the Union Home Minister said that the government is sensitive to the needs of our paramilitary forces. 

Calling the CRPF a veteran organisation which upholds India`s democracy, Rajnath Singh said that the supreme sacrifice made by CRPF jawans should never be forgotten and the government recognises the sacrifices made by the forces. 

The Union Home Minister said that the CRPF has lost many lives in fighting `proxy war` launched against the country. 

He noted that the CRPF is deployed in many critical areas. Rajnath Singh said that the CRPF works in very hostile conditions but it always completes its assigned task. 

He said that 38 percent of the CRPF is deployed in hazardous LWE theatre and around 80 percent of the force works in high risk zone. 

Rajnath Singh recalled his visit to Saranda jungle in Jharkhand and mentioned that the CRPF deserves credit for its ability to work in adverse conditions. 

Terming the CRPF as `Loktantra Ke Prahri`, Rajnath Singh said that the CRPF not only plays an active role in facing the challenges of internal security but also provides security cover during General Elections. 

He congratulated the CRPF on completing 75 years of its foundation. Rajnath Singh said that the CRPF has passed many `Agneepareekha` and he was proud to say that it has succeeded in all these tests. 

The CRPF is one of the largest paramilitary forces in the world, he remarked. 

On the occasion, the Union Home Minister inspected the `Guard of Honour` and took the salute at the parade, led by the CRPF women contingent. 

Later, Rajnath Singh checked out the weapons and gadgets used by the CRPF. 

Earlier on arrival at the CRPF Group Centre, the Union Home Minister paid tributes at the martyrs memorial and saluted in memory of the supreme sacrifices made by the brave CRPF personnel.