Sunday, January 22 2006 11:04 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hyderabad: Terming Naxalite violence as a threat to democracy, Congress today (Jan 22,2006) called for a firm and clear approach to tackle the menace without foreclosing the possibility of 'dialogue in appropriate situations'.

In a draft political resolution at the 82nd Plenary Session, the ruling party voiced concern over growing Naxalite violence and its 'linkage with Maoist movement in Nepal' and urged the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government to treat the issue with highest priority.

"The talk of a corridor of violence extending through the heart of India, from Nepal border to Andhra Pradesh is an unwholesome threat to Indian democracy and peaceful life of our people," it said.

The Naxalites' links with their revolutionary counterparts of the Himalayan kingdom would 'enhance security concern for both the countries', the resolution said and called for addressing it as a serious law and order issue but with underlying socio-economic causes and said involvement of 'unfriendly foreign forces could not be ruled out'.

The party's stance on Naxalite issue comes against the backdrop of collapse of peace talks between Congress government and Maoists in Andhra Pradesh.

After the first round of direct talks in October 2004, the Naxalite groups had in January last year pulled out of the dialogue process accusing the Rajasekhar Reddy Government of continuing 'fake police encounters'.

The Government had re-imposed ban on Communist Party of India (CPI) (Maoist) in August last year in the face of growing violence and the killing of ruling party legislator C Narsi Reddy in Mahaboobnagar district on Independence Day.

"Tolerating levels of injustice and political compromise with caste or community sponsored groups prone to violence may also be responsible (for the growing Naxalite activity)," the resolution said.