Anti-Maoist operation is a media invention: Chidambaram

Hyderabad, Nov 6 : The central government was not carrying out any operation against Maoist guerrillas but was only assisting states in counter-insurgency measures, union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said here Friday.

He labelled the anti-Maoist operation a media invention and declined to react to the Communist Party of India-Maoist's (CPI-Maoist) reported offer for conditional talks with the government, saying he had not seen the statement.

"There is no operation. The operation Green Hunt or whatever is a pure invention of the media," Chidambaram told reporters after the passing out parade at Sardar Vallabhbhai National Police Academy here.

"State governments are carrying on counter-insurgency measures against the Naxalites wherever it is necessary to do so. The central government is providing assistance by way of central paramilitary forces, intelligence sharing and technical help," he said, pointing out that police forces of the states were responsible for maintaining law and order.

The home minister also declined to give any time-frame for completing anti-insurgency measures, saying the question should be put to the concerned state governments.

"All this is in the media. I have not seen any written document or statement. I can't comment on whatever you put out," he said when his reaction was sought on a statement by a Sri Lankan official about the link between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Maoists.

--IANS