The Naxal menace in Chhattisgarh can be controlled with better co-ordination between the CRPF and state police, CRPF director general K Vijay Kumar said here on Friday.

"CRPF is India's biggest and highly trained force. The Naxal issue can be handled if the CRPF is utilised in a better way and its co-ordination with the state police is improved," he said.

Kumar said the reason behind his visit to the state after just taking over as the director general of the world's largest paramilitary force was to interact with the jawans and the officers and ensure better co-ordination with the police.

To a query, Kumar, who is credited with eliminating notorious sandalwood smuggler Veerappan, said, dealing with Veerappan and Naxals were two different things but the experience of fighting against him will come in handy while dealing with the outlaws.

Asked how he planned to prevent casualties from landmines in Naxal dominated areas, he said he had spoken to top state police officials about the issue and a strategy has been put in place.

Kumar said it was difficult to predict when Chhattisgarh could get rid of Naxalism.

"Chhattisgarh has witnessed some big incidents recently, but instead of blaming anyone for it, we should learn from it and move ahead," he said.

Kumar also met Chief Minister Raman Singh during his visit.

According to official sources, Kumar discussed the law and order situation in Naxal-hit areas, with Singh and senior state police officials and assured them of full co-operation of the CRPF.