Hazaribag (Jharkhand): Condemning the ghastly landmine blasts triggered by naxals in Jharkhand killing 28 policemen, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today (Apr 9, 2004) equated the naxalites with those terrorists in Kashmir out to disturb democratic elections.

"The naxals are against democracy and in this respect they are no different from those terrorists in Kashmir who are out to disturb elections," Advani said.

"The extremists have an arrogant assumption that they know what is the best for the people more than the people themselves," he said and added that is the reason why they intimidate people, disrupt campaign and threaten the electorate who wish to vote.

Observing that extremists operating in Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Chattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh could not de-link the development process, Advani said a coordination committee headed by union home secretary has already been working towards an effective strategy to tackle this grave threat to democracy.

Naxalites set off landmines killing 28 security personnel on patrol in a jungle of Jharkhand's West Singbhum district on Wednesday (Apr 7, 2004).