States asked to strengthen intelligence, police to check Naxalism

New Delhi, Feb 19 (UNI) The government today stressed the need for strengthening intelligence gathering mechanism, training of police force alongwith socio-economic development to effectively deal with Naxalism in the country.

The first meeting of the Empowered Group of Ministers on Naxalism here, chaired by Home Minister Shivraj Patil, also called for increasing coordination and cooperation between the states to deal with cross-border crimes by naxalites, sources told UNI here.

The Centre also assured the states that it would provide them all possible assistance and equipment, including helicopters, armoured vehicles and mine sweepers, to contain Naxalism.

The meeting also emphasised that Naxalism has a socio-economic angle and should also be dealt with a human touch. Implementation of various developmental programmes to better the lot of poor people could play a crucial role in containing Naxalism.

Implementation of poverty elimination programmes like National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was not being stopped by Naxalites who are against contractor system, the meeting was informed. It was stressed that such schemes should be extended to all and steps be taken to ensure their effective implementation. Development process could go a long way in containing Naxalism in the country.

Chhatisgarh, which is the epicentre of Naxalism in the country with a majority of Naxal incidents and deaths happening in the state, demanded more facilities and assistance from the centre to deal with the situation. The issue of Sulwa Judum also figured at the meeting.

The meeting of EGoM, constituted at the initiative of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, was attended by Law Minister H R Bhardwaj, Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, Tribal Affairs Minister P R Kyndiah and Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal.

Chief Minister of Jharkhand Madhu Koda, Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Jana Reddy and representatives of the governments of the Naxal affected of Orissa, Bihar, Chhatisgarh participated in the meeting. Home Secretary V K Duggal and other senior officials of various ministries also attended the meeting.

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