Setting the tone for post-Ramzan talks with the Hurriyat Conference, Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani today expressed hope that the separatist group would bring with it a ‘‘sincere, realistic and constructive’’ approach.Asserting that the government has always favoured resolution of all conflicts through dialogue and peaceful means, he said the offer to the Hurriyat was but another effort to restore peace in J-K. ‘‘It is in this spirit that I have agreed to meet the Hurriyat leaders. The people of the state want to see an end to the era of violence,’’ he said.Inaugurating a three-day Director-Generals of Police conference, Advani said the Centre had extended its full support to confidence-building measures undertaken by the state government. He added that Pakistan has now understood that India’s offer for talks is not a sign of weakness. ‘‘They know that while on one hand we are fighting terrorism effectively, on the other, we have achieved rapid development as well.’’ But cross-border terrorism continues, and in September alone, there were at least 28 attempts by militants to infiltrate and 300 militants were killed in the past two months, he said.‘‘Pakistan’s sincerity in improving bilateral ties will be gauged by its response to India’s demand to hand over 20 fugitives, including Dawood Ibrahim, whom the US declared a global terrorist recently,’’ he added.Moving on to rise in extremist activities within India, the Deputy Prime Minister said the Centre is planning to raise a special wing in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to tackle the Naxalite menace.In the backdrop of the attack on Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, Advani said there is a ‘‘growing concern in the country over the rise of Left wing extremism and the need for an effective strategy to counter the menace’’. The rebels have expanded their base to nearly a dozen states and have improved weaponry, he said.‘‘The incident (attack on Naidu) has underscored the pressing need for states to organise and employ their best resources, intelligence and active co-operation in combating this growing extremist network,’’ Advani said. On the proposed CRPF wing, Advani said, it will be specially trained to tackle Naxalite groups. It will be particularly helpful in snapping links between Left wing rebels and Maoists in Nepal, the Deputy PM added.‘‘The wing will remain a striking force to be dove-tailed with the composite action initiated by the state themselves against underground as well as overground cadre,’’ he added.The Deputy PM, however, admitted that the Naxalite problem cannot be solved through policing alone, and asked states to undertake all-round development work in Naxalite-affected areas. Director of Intelligence Bureau K.P. Singh suggested that nearly 20 CRPF battalions (about 18,000 men) be earmarked for long-term deployment in Naxalite-affected areas.
