The prime minister has repeatedly said that Naxalism is a bigger threat to India than external terrorism. That's perhaps why our home minister wanted to hunt them down not very long ago and governments have seldom come up with a non-gun solution. With the Saranda Development Plan rural development minister Jairam Ramesh is trying to. But, as of now, it is just that: Jairam's plan. The CRPF is on board but the combined power of all the key ministries of the central government is yet to be felt. The Jharkhand government has assured him support and is even delivering in fits and starts. But the Saranda Development Plan needs to be escalated to the level of a national governance mission. But before that, the debate needs to be joined. Has this Plan got what it takes to win the trust of the tribals? Is this the best way to bring development and peace to a recently "liberated" zone? Does this have the potential to become a "model" for a lasting solution to the problem?