Maoists' armed struggle unacceptable: Chidambaram

Raipur, Jan 19 (IANS) The armed struggle of Maoists is 'unacceptable' and the government is determined to 'squarely, boldly, firmly and decisively' deal with the Left wing extremism, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram declared Monday after a high-level meeting here.

After the meeting held to assess the Maoist situation in the state, Chidambaram said: 'Maoists believe in armed struggle and so-called liberation. This is unacceptable in a democratic republican system.'

'Squarely, boldly, firmly and decisively we have to deal with Left wing extremism. There will be some damage to civilian lives during confrontation, but we have to minimize it,' the minister told newsmen, emerging from a meeting.

Chief Minister Raman Singh, state Home Minister Nankiram Kanwar, state police chief Vishawa Ranjan, Chief Secretary P. Joy Oommen and several key persons of para-military forces engaged in the anti-Maoist fight in the state attended the meet.

Chidambaram reached capital Raipur Monday evening. He will spend the night at Raj Bhavan and leave for New Delhi Tuesday morning.