Finding trained and well-equipped security forces in states is the most difficult challenge in tackling Maoists, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said here Friday.
"The most difficult element is trained, well-equipped state police force to take on the challenge of Maoists," Chidambaram told reporters in an interaction at the Indian Women's Press Corps here.
The home minister said the intellectual and material support by some unsuspecting NGOs and civil society is "making the task difficult for us".
"It confuses the people as what we are doing is right or not," he said.
The first step, he asserted, is for the civil administration to establish control in Maoist-dominated districts.
"First things first, the security forces must regain control. Once there is control, then the state government must rush in developmental resources," he said.
Maoists carried out a daring attack on a security forces' camp in Silda in West Bengal Monday, killing 24 Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) troopers and a civilian.
The guerrillas Wednesday stormed a village in Bihar's Jamui district and killed 11 people.