States to pursue multi-pronged approach to combat naxalism

New Delhi, Apr 13 (UNI) Thirteen states affected by naxalism today committed to pursue a long term multi-pronged approach and strategy to combat the menace simultaneously on political, security and developmental fronts.

The states, which participated in the Second Meeting of Standing Committee of the Chief Ministers of Naxal Affected States that was chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, agreed that more focused action and attention is necessary by them to further enhance their response regarding strengthening police and and developmental responses. The states would prepare and implement location specific integrated comprehensive action plans to do so.

They also agreed to further streamline and strengthen the dedicated Security and Intelligence mechanism to pursue sustained police action against naxalites and their infrastructure. The Centre asked them to take immediate action to achieve this within a definite timeframe.

The states also agreed to mount a special recruitment drive to fill up vacancies in police force specially in police stations in naxal affected areas so as to ensure that such police stations are strengthened to be able to not only gather local intelligence on naxal activities but also repulse any likely attacks by naxalites.

Essentially local policing has to be improved on all fronts to take on the naxalites, it was felt.

The issue of Andhra Pradesh police officers to be taken by other states on short term deputation to help them set up and strengthen special security and intelligence structures in their states was discussed and was agreed to by Andhra Pradesh and other states.

It was agreed to ensure effective coordination on ground between RPF, GRP, local police and intelligence agencies to ensure protection and safety of railway passengers, trains and other railway infrastructure.

To enhance effectiveness of intelligence driven inter state joint operations against naxalites and their infrastructure, the states were requested to constitute Joint Task Forces of neighbouring states under a unified command.

The states unanimously agreed that alongside security action, socio-economic development in the naxal-affected areas need to be given higher priority and focused attention through convergence of existing developmental schemes with missing links to be especially funded. The states unanimously agreed alongside security action, socio-economic development in the naxal affected areas needs to be given higher priority and focused attention through convergence of existing developmental schemes with missing links to be specially funded.

Speedy and effective implementation of land reforms, a comprehensive and progressive rehabilitation and resettlement policy for tribals likely to be affected by industrial and other projects coming up in these areas, meaningful implementation of PESA, withdrawal compounding of minor forest offences and debt waiver in the naxal affected areas were agreed upon.

States agreed to make the most optimal use of the financial and technical support being provided by the Central Government under the police modernisation and SRE schemes and in terms of deployment of central para military forces and sharing of intelligence inputs.

The central government will provide further necessary help to the states to the extent possible on both security and development fronts.

The meeting organised by Union Home Ministry was attended by Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Chief Ministers of Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Chhatisgarh and Maharashtra. Union Minister for Rural Development Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, Panchayati Raj Manishaker Aiyer, Minister for Tribal Development and Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia also participated in the meeting.

The National Security Advisor, Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary, the Principal Secretary to the PMO and a host of officials attended the five hour long meeting.

UNI