Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu:
Ruling out the possibility of deploying Army in anti-Naxal operations, Defence Minister AK Antony today said the real answer lies in strengthening local and central police forces.
He said the services have been extending full support to the police force on the ground and the Indian Air Force was operating its choppers during night in Naxal-hit areas.
Asked if the time was right to deploy Army in anti-Naxal operations given the intensity of the attack on Saturday in Chhattisgarh, he said, "There is no proposal like that. We extend our support without direct involvement. The real answer is to strengthen the local police and para-military forces".
The Defence Ministry has been against deployment of Army and the Indian Air Force in anti-Naxal operations.
Reacting to the deadly attack on Congress leaders on Saturday by the suspected Naxals, Mr Antony said, "India is a democracy, there is procedure, there are institutions and there are methods and opportunity for every section to express grievances. But this kind of violence is not acceptable."
Heavily-armed Naxals ambushed a convoy of Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district on Saturday, killing 24 people including Congress leader Mahendra Karma, former legislator Uday Mudliyar, state unit chief Nand Kumar Patel and his son. Senior party leader VC Shukla was among those injured in the attack.