-Outlook Notwithstanding repeated attacks by Maoists, the Centre has decided to counter ultras through its development efforts in Naxal-affected areas as it believes such efforts will weaken the Red base. "We are making a special effort to bring development in the Naxal-affected areas. We are hoping that it will pay dividend," Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh told PTI. Ramesh's contention comes just days after Naxalites planted a bomb inside the stomach of a...

-The Times of India KORAPUT: tribals in Koraput's Narayanpatna continue to desert Maoist-backed Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) expressing their desire to join the mainstream. In the latest incident, at least 63 tribals approached SP ( Koraput) Awinash Kumar on Saturday and vowed not to return to the sangh. Instead they said they would cooperate with the administration in its developmental activities. While as many as 12 tribals had deserted the sangh...

-The Hindustan Times From joblessness to lack of development, militants in the northeast have fought for several causes over the years. Here’s the latest reason they’re picking up guns — dislike for a proposed tiger reserve. A tribal community in central Assam’s Karbi Anglong district has floated a militant outfit to oppose the creation of  the reserve. The outfit has taken shape among Rengmas, a Naga tribe. The Council of Naga Rengma...

-The Times of India MUMBAI: Around 25,000 tribal students have been roped in to welcome Congress presidentSonia Gandhi, who will launch a rural health project for children in Palghar on February 6. But parents of students from 13 villages in the taluka have decided to boycott the function and keep their children away to protest against the lack of basic amenities like roads in their localities. Sonia will launch a National Rural...

-The Indian Express Gadchiroli: A top Naxal leader who surrendered recently has said that the government’s twin strategy of security with development has begun to hurt the Maoists, leaving the morale of their cadre affected. “The senior leadership of the party (CPI Maoist) is worried over setbacks due to Operation Greenhunt and the various developmental works undertaken by the government in remote areas of districts like Gadchiroli,” Badarpu Mallaiyya alias Shekhar, the...