NCP president Sharad Pawar on Thursday flagged off urban naxalisation, describing it as an activity to “create anger against the government”.
Addressing media persons in Gadchiroli on the second day of his four-day Vidarbha tour, Pawar said, “We used to think that Naxalism is confined to only parts of districts like Gadchiroli, Chandrapur and Nanded. But, recently, we are seeing what can be described as urban naxalisation, where certain forces and groups are trying to create public opinion and hatred against the government and the ruling classes. Such people would be working from cities like Nagpur, Pune, Mumbai and many other places from Sahyadri range to Kerala. Of course, we do not see any Naxalites directly but if we do not pay attention to this problem in time, then we will be forced to take different steps.
Pawar said, “The problem of Naxalism is socio-economic in origin and when I was the chief minister, we had adopted a dual strategy of pushing development and tightening law and order to thwart the bid against the process of development. Today the problem is much more serious as compared to the time but as far as Maharashtra is concerned, the situation is much better as compared to other states like Chhattisgarh.
Referring to the controversial Lloyd Metals and Energy Ltd iron ore mine at Surjagad in Etapalli tehsil, Pawar said in support of the mine, “It is necessary to generate employment for the local youth and create an industry to achieve that goal. We need to put an end to the frustration of the local youth, clear the misconceptions about such projects and ensure sustainable employment opportunities for them.”
On the farmers’ agitation against the three controversial agriculture laws passed by the central government, Pawar said, “No one can say that laws can be made only in a certain way. But the government can always take a flexible approach and make changes wherever possible to find some solution without making it an issue of prestige. ,
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