Chhattisgarh wants anti-naxal JTF

Raipur, Mar 1 (UNI) The Chhattisgarh government has reiterated its demand for setting up a Joint Task Force (JTF) for anti-naxal operations in affected states.

Talking to reporters here, Chief Secretary Rajendra Prasad Baghai said the government had been maintaining that no state could single-handedly combat such extremism as it was a national problem.

Stating that a huge population in about eight states was affected, he said, ''We have been requesting the Centre to set up a JTF for anti-naxal operations and the proposal is long-pending.'' The government renewed its demand in the wake of yesterday's rebel landmine blast, at South Bastar's Darbhaguda, killing 27 people and injuring 40 others.

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