New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS): The central government was firmly committed to tackling Left-wing extremism and was implementing a multi-pronged strategy for the purpose, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Wednesday.

The home minister was making a suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha on the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh which claimed the lives 14 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force.

Giving details of the incident, the home minister said the CRPF personnel were ambushed by Maoists near Kasalpar village. The troopers retaliated, and the gun battle lasted for around three hours.

He said the surrender by Maoist cadres increased substantially in the current year.

He added that Left-wing extremist violence has also been declining since 2011 and this trend continues in the current year.

"I would like to reiterate that the central government is committed firmly to tackle Left-wing extremism. For this purpose, it is implementing a multi-pronged strategy," he said.

The strategy includes implementation of security-related measures, development-related measures and ensuring rights and entitlements of tribals and other weaker sections of the society.

"As a result of the implementation of this strategy, the morale of the Maoists has weakened," he said.

"It is our firm commitment to provide every possible assistance to the security forces and we will continue the operations till this problem is fully eradicated."

Rajnath Singh said whenever state governments ask for additional forces for maintaining peace, tackling extremism, natural calamities, the home ministry normally makes forces available after due consideration.

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