Govt asks four Naxal-hit states to set up unified command

New Delhi, July 14 (PTI) In a fresh strategy to combat
the Naxal menace, the Indian government today asked
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal states to
create a unified command for anti-Maoist operations and to
appoint a retired Major General of the Army as its member.
The Centre will "request the state governments of
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal to create a
unified command for anti-Naxal operations and to appoint a
retired Major General of the Army as a member of the command,"
Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram said addressing leaders of
seven Naxal-affected states here.
The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
is being attended by chief ministers of Bihar, Chhattisgarh,
Orissa, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. While Jharkhand is
being represented by its governor, West Bengal has sent a
senior minister for the meet.
Announcing decisions to fight Left-wing extremism,
Chidambaram said government will also provide more helicopters
to the states for logistic support, troop movement, supplies
and evacuation.
The government will also 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.
Chidambaram in his inaugural speech said these
decisions were taken in the light of experience gained in the
last six months.
Chidambaram also said that Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand,
Orissa and West Bengal will be requested to appoint an officer
of the rank of Inspector General of Police (IGP) as IGP
(anti-Naxal operations) for each state who will be
co-ordinating the anti-Naxal operations with their
counterparts in the Central Reserve Police Force which has
already appointed officers for similar exclusive anti-Naxal
duties.

Speaking about development issues in the states
affected by Naxal violence, Chidambaram said an empowered
group chaired by Member-Secretary, Planning Commission will
modify existing norms and guidelines to implement various
development schemes keeping in view local needs and conditions
in the districts.
He said the state governments will be requested to
implement provisions of the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled)
Areas (PESA) Act strictly and vigorously to particularly
ensure that rights over minor forest produce are assigned to
the Gram Sabhas and the inter-position of Government
controlled departments, corporations and cooperatives are
removed.
The road connectivity in 34 districts most affected by
Maoist menace will also be improved.
"A number of roads and bridges are proposed to be
included, at a cost of Rs 950 crore, by the Ministry of Road
Transport and Highways," Chidambaram said.
The Planning Commission is considering a special
development plan for the affected districts, states with
emphasis on road connectivity, primary education, primary
health care and drinking water. Consultations have been held
with the state governments and it is expected that the plan
will be placed before the competent authority, shortly, for
approval, he said.
Coming down heavily on the activities of the Communist
Party of India (Maoist), Chidambram said, "It (CPI Maoist) has
no right to set itself up as judge, jury and executioner. In
fact, it has no right to carry arms. It is a banned
organisation and functions outside the pale of the law". PTI
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