'Attempts made to introduce Maoism in Gujarat'

Paji, September 29: Gujarat Chief Minister Andiben Patel on Tuesday said that despite attempts to introduce Maoism in Gujarat, left-inspired violence had not covered much ground because of “pro-active steps for all-round development of tribals in our state”. “The spread of influence of extremist elements is a matter of common concern. Gujarat has remained uffected despite attempts to introduce Maoism in the state,” Patel said in her speech at a Western Zol Council meeting in Paji. States that are mostly uffected by Maoist violence should be equipped to defeat attempts to introduce violence, she said. “We would welcome a specific policy to put in place a mechanism to ensure that those state which are today mostly uffected by Maoist violence can be equipped to defeat attempts to introduce violence,” she said, adding that a “proactive strategy to foster development and counter extremism will surely save lives and resources in future”. The meeting was attended by top politicians and bureaucrats from western Indian states like Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra and Union territories Daman and Diu. (IANS)