Home Min convenes meeting of Naxal-hit states

In the backdrop of a multi-state coordinated offencive against Naxalites, which has already commenced in certain places, Home Ministry, on Tuesday, convened a meeting of chief secretaries and police chiefs of nine states which are most hit by the left-wing extremism. Official sources said the 24th meeting of the Coordination committee on left wing extremism, chaired by Home Secretary G K Pillai, discussed the developmental activities that needs to be undertaken in the Naxal affected areas.

A review of the development activities that have already begun was also conducted."It is a well understood that police offencive alone cannot yield long term results. Development is also needed," a source said, adding, financial aspect of the projects were also discussed. He, however, refused to elaborate further. The meeting was attended by chief secretary or their representatives of Orissa, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.

The secretaries or representatives of Union Ministries like Environment and Forest, Power, Rural Development, Tribal Affairs and Telecom as well as officials of the Planning Commission and IB were also present at the meeting besides Chairman of Railway Board. The DGP's of all the nine states were also present except that of Uttar Pardesh, the sources said.