Oslo: Bringing together top leaders and experts from diverse backgrounds, a Conference on Peace and Reconciliation in South Asia here has favoured efforts to spread awareness in Europe on the problem of Naxalism faced by India and ways to resolve it.

The Conference, which focused on the internal armed conflicts in India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Nepal, concluded yesterday calling upon all the stakeholders to opt for peaceful means and restraint while dealing with their respective situations.

"The problem of Naxalism has grown exponentially in the past few years. It is being identified by the Indian government as the single most dangerous internal security threat and affects nearly one-third of the total districts," spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, whose 'The Art of Living Foundation'organised the meet, said.

"It is very important that it comes to the notice of international community especially European nations, who can further help us in dealing with it," he said.

Chattisgarh Home Minister Ramvichar Nitam said, "We have to understand that this issue has a socio-economic dimension, and has to be tackled from there as well."

He defended "Salva Judum" as a justified people's movement which had evolved out of brutal repression and exploitation by Naxals.

Startled at the facts regarding Naxal violence, Nirj Deva, Member of European Parliament, said that he would take up the issue with fellow Parliamentarians and work towards increasing awareness and action in this regard.

"I am not sure how many people in the Parliament would know about it currently, but this does require a considerable attention and I am going to take it up inside the House".

The number of incidents of Naxal violence in 2007 was reported to be 1,385. While 418 civilians were killed till November 2007, the toll was 501 during the corresponding period the year before.

Besides the naxal issue, the ethnic strife in Sri Lanka was discussed in detail by the participants, including MDMK chief Vaiko and Sri Lankan government representatives.

"It is high time European countries paid their attention to the miseries of Tamils in the Sinhalese state. The oppression against them must end immidiately and EU must press Sri Lanka to return to peace talks," Vaiko said.

Deliberating on the Tamil problem, top Norwegian peace negotiator Jon Hanssen-Bauer said: "The common understanding between the government and the LTTE has been that talks are aimed at finding a political solution that are acceptable to all communities in Sri Lanka."

 

Source : PTI