Chennai, May 27 (IANS) Defence Minister A.K. Antony Monday ruled out the deployment of the army in anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh and said police and paramilitary will have to be strengthened to fight the rebels.
Anthony was speaking to reporters at Thanjavur, around 340 km from here, where he dedicated a new air force station.
In the backdrop of Saturday’s Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh, the minister ruled out any plans to deploy the army in the troubled area.
He said the real answer to the problem was to strengthen police and paramilitary forces to counter the Maoists.
The minister said training of Sri Lankan armed forces will not be done in Tamil Nadu respecting the sentiments of the people in the state.
On the new air force station, Antony said it would strengthen the air defence capabilities of the Indian Air Force in general and the Southern Command, in particular.
He said various sensitive, strategic, industrial, aerospace and economic assets were coming up in the southern peninsula and the station will play a vital role in providing protection to them.
He said the presence of fighter planes in Thanjavur will not only guard Indian interests but also give a feeling of safety to neighbours.
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