RSS involved in terrorist activities: Pranab Mukherjee

Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday said Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is involved in terrorist activities.

Addressing an All India Congress Committee (AICC) meeting here, Mukherjee said: ?We have come across a different face of RSS and its sister organization. Investigations indicate involvement of its members in terrorist activities.?

? Communal and terrorist elements, whichever source they may emanate from?that aim at destroying our national family, will be fought at any cost,? he said.

Rajasthan Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) has chargesheeted senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar in the 2007 Ajmer blast case.

Kumar is the third RSS leader to be accused of having connections to the Ajmer blast.

Talking about Jammu and Kashmir, the Minister said the Valley has restored normalcy.

?In recent past the security situation in Jammu & Kashmir has deteriorated. However, with the cooperation of the state government, the normalcy is now being restored. Appointment of interlocutors to carry forward the process of dialogue with various stakeholders is a welcome measure,? Mukherjee said.

At least 108 people were killed in anti-India protests led by the separatists in Kashmir since June 11, prompting the Centre to initiate talks with the various groups in the state, propose greater autonomy and depute an all-party delegation to the Valley.

Referring to the growing Maoists activities, the FM said ?armed struggle? against a state will not be tolerated.

?Maoists and Naxalite activities in a number of districts in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have caused serious law and order situation problem leading to senseless violence, killing civilians, and security forces, along with wanton destructions of public property,? he said.

?Armed struggle against a state by any section of society cannot be tolerated. The government should take all appropriate steps to curb this.

?The lack of development leading to growing aberration in any section of the society, particularly in tribal and other Left Wing extremism-hit areas, has to be addressed urgently,? the Minister said.

At the day-long session, Mukherjee praised youth icon Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for their contributions towards the country.

?This meeting appreciates and supports the initiatives taken by Rahul Gandhi to bring about a new era of inclusive participation of youths in the national service through an election-based political system at the grassroots level.?

?Under leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, we are aiming at empowerment of aam aadmi,? Mukherjee added.