Tribals deprived due to Naxalites, says union minister

Tribal people are being deprived of various government benefits because of Naxalites, Union Minister of State for Home, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir today said.
Poor tribals living in forests have been facing injustice because of the Naxalites, depriving them of government schemes like Awas Yojana, Jan Dhan account, loans under Mudra, schools, health centres, road and rail connectivity, the minister said.
Stating that generations of today and tomorrow should not be deprived of developmental works, Ahir cited examples of some villages where people live a life that existed 150 years ago.
"Who is responsible for it and why?" he asked.
The Centre would extend all assistance to the states to root out Naxalism, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had described Maoists as internal security threat, he said.
Stating that everyone has right to live in a democracy, Ahir asked the Naxalites not to be an impediment in the development of tribals.