Unified command for four Maoist-hit states

Centre offers more helicopters, logistical support

PTI | July 14, 2010



Four states worst affected by Maoist violence will have Unified Command structures to fight the menace as the Centre offered more helicopters and logistical support to states in their anti-Naxal operations.

Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand and West Bengal agreed to the Centre's proposal for creating a Unified Command structure headed by Chief Secretary in their respective state to have better coordination among police, paramilitary and intelligence agencies.

At a meeting of Chief Ministers of Naxal-affected states, which was chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, it was also decided to include a retired Army Major General as a member in the Unified Command.

At the meeting called for devising a coordinated strategy to tackle the Maoists, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, however, felt there was no immediate need for such a command.

"The Unified Command will be created in Chhattisgarh, Orrisa, Jharkhand and West Bengal while more helicopters will be deployed for logistical support, supplies and evacuation in Naxal affected," Home Minister P Chidambaram told reporters after the meeting.

Militancy-hit Jammu and Kashmir and Assam have Unified Command structure that includes Army.

The meeting also cleared the governments' proposal to fund the establishment and strengthening of 400 police stations in the affected districts at the rate of Rs two crore per police station on 80:20 basis over a period of two years.

The decisions were taken in the light of experience gained in the last six months, Chidambaram said adding the Central government and the Chief Ministers were confident that in the long run they will be able to overcome the challenge of left-wing extremism.

The Chief Ministers called for a coordinated and integrated action and better equipment and logistics to fight the Maoist menace.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said "enforcement action" alone was not enough to tackle the problem because it could lead to further alienation of misguided youth who are part of the society.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said that the country must rise above the constriction that Naxal problem is the concern of any single state but a national strategy was needed.

He also said a dialogue with Maoists will not serve any purpose unless they express faith in the Constitution and adopt democratic means.


 

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