The Centre has urged civil society organisations to ask CPI Maoists not to disturb the forthcoming elections in Jharkhand. Expressing confidence that the people of the state will turn out in large numbers to vote in the polls, the government said that it will continue pre-emptive action against the CPI Maoists to ensure free and fair polls. Condemning yesterday's train derailment by suspected Maoists which killed one person and injured 40 passengers, a statement by the Home Ministry said the CPI Maoists appear determined to carry out their threats to disrupt the elections. The CPI Maoists have already issued a call to the people of the state to boycott the elections.<br/>It said that the Maoists are continuing to kill innocent persons and lable them as informers. The statement said that nothing can be more destructive to the democracy and the rule of law than attempts by banned organisation to disrupt election through pre-meditated act of violence. <br/>Speaking to reporters in Bhubaneswar, the Union Home Secretary Mr. G.K. Pillai said that there is no difference between terrorists and Maoists as they are making infrastracture like railway stations, trains, mobile towers and schools as their soft targets. He clarified that no military action is being planned against the Left wing extremists but efforts are being made to restore civil administration in naxal infested areas.<br/>
News On AIR | November 20, 2009 5:53 PM
Centre urges NGOs to ask Maoists not to disturb Jharkhand polls