Accusing the Rajasthan government of ineptly handling the crisis created by the Gujjar community's protests to demand Scheduled Tribe status, Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said on Friday that political problems should be solved only through political forums.
"Had the Rajasthan government handled the situation properly from the beginning, the problem would not have taken such a turn. It was a political problem and it could be solved through political platforms only by taking into confidence all political leaders," Jaiswal told reporters at the Indore press club.
On the apex court's observations on the issue of law and order in Rajasthan, he said the Centre sent adequate forces to the state to tackle the situation.
Besides, law and order is a state subject, he pointed out.
Referring to the Naxalite problem, he said that except for Chhattisgarh the problem is under control in other states.
"The problem in other states has not escalated, but in Chhattisgarh proof of a reduction of Naxal violence are not visible at present," he said.
Andhra Pradesh, which was badly affected by the problem, has set an example by implementing Centrally funded schemes to address the menace of Naxalism.
Other states must emulate this example to tackle the issue, he said.
"The Centre has also asked Naxal-affected states to raise special batallions to fight the violence. The Centre will bear the entire expenses for such an exercise for the first three years," he said. "Good officers should be posted in such areas as a reward and not as a punishment as is the practise in some states."
