Israel to help West Bengal tackle Maoists

Israel will discuss the issue of homeland security with West Bengal which is reeling under the brunt of Maoist extremism.

"Homeland security is becoming important and affecting each of us. In this field we feel there is something which we can augment for the state of West Bengal," Ambassador of Israel to India Mark Sofer said while addressing the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Kolkata on Monday.

He will meet Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Governor M K Narayanan tomorrow to deliberate on the matter.

He said Israel would be able to provide sophisticated equipment like night vision devices which were not necessarily meant for the defence sector.

Besides homeland security, Sofer would also discuss issues like water management, dairy farming and drip irrigation with West Bengal.