Monday, February 7 2005 13:56 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dehra Dun: The Maoist insurgency in Nepal might spill over to bordering Indian States and the Centre was taking steps to cope with it, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil last night (Feb 06, 2005) said.

Asked if India would intervene in the political crisis in Nepal emanating out of the dismissal of Sher Bahadur Deuba Government by King Gyanendra, Patil told reporters in Dehra Dun that this question relates to External Affairs Ministry."

"Any activity in any part of the world would have its impact on neighbouring countries. It may not be correct to say Maoist problem would not have its effect (in India). We are taking steps to deal with any situation," he said.

"To say that we are cowed down by such developments is not correct and we are fit to cope with it," the Home Minister said.

Patil, who attended a function of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), said that the Centre was raising funds to deal with all types of problems including Maoist menace. "We are applying our mind and we are in contact with the bordering States also," he said.

"There are people who believe in efficacy of violence, force and weapons. We in India depend upon the efficacy of democratic system, of dialogue. We would like to see that those who are involved in terrorism are persuaded to take the democratic step," Patil said in an indirect reference to the Maoist insurgency.

He said that the Centre was adopting methods to effectively tackle the flow of funds and terrorist infrastructure from one country to another.

"In order to get funds for terrorist activities, those involved in it are using many methods. We are also applying our minds to see how it can be stopped in a more effective way," Patil said.

"It is not only the Home Ministry and the Defence Ministry that are coordinating with each other to check the flow of funds to terrorists. But it is being considered at the level of the United Nations also," he said.