Ranchi, April 24 : Home Minister Shivraj Patil recently stated in the Parliament that the government has taken a multi-pronged approach to counter the spread of Naxalism in the country.

Along with taking security measures to contain the Naxalites, the Government is taking steps to improve the living standards of the people. People have realised that violence does not help them.

Many village leaders have been able to mobilize people. This has not been liked by Naxalites and they have tried to eliminate them.

The recent killing of Bhado Singh in Semra-Bhandratoli in broad daylight has been one such incident. It has shocked people. He was the leader of a self-help group of his village and held in high esteem.

Bhado's assassination along with eight others has left Gudma villagers in grief.

Bhubneshwari Devi, widow of Bhado Singh, asks the Naxalites Why was her husband, a representative of the peace group -- Shanti Sena --killed? She says: "My husband was the sole -earning member the family. He used to look after all the members."

Villagers in Naxal-affected areas of Jharkhand want to be left alone by the Naxalites who have been trying to persuade them to be a part of their movement with the promise that they would take steps to provide them a better life.

Jharkhand's Chief Minister Madhu Koda has visited Semra Bhandratoli and announced an ex gratia amount of rupees 100,000 and a government job to a member of the family of Bhado Singh. He also met Bhado's aggrieved family members.

After years of neglect, the administration has started helping the villagers to improve their livelihood. But this has not been appreciated by Naxalites.By Girija Shankar Ojha

ANI