Strong mechanism to tackle naxal violence: Patil

New Delhi, Mar 6: Agreeing to a concerted effort to contain Naxal violence, Home Minister Shivraj Patil today said the Centre expected motivation and dedication from the Jharkhand police to tackle the situation.

Making a suo-motu statement in the Rajya Sabha, Mr Patil said the Centre had put in place a strong mechanism for monitoring naxal activities and for evolving strategies to counter the problem.

Narrating the tragic events that snuffed the life of JMM MP Sunil Kumar Mahto on March 4 at Baguria village in East Singhbum district, Mr Patil said the naxals in a planned move, numbering about 40-45, overpowered his bodyguards and shot Mahto and his security staff.

The state police had asked neighbouring Purulia Superintendent of Police to seal the inter-state border and stop the movement while undertaking combing operations in its area.

Mr Patil said Jharkhand was provided a Special Grant of Rs 15 crore for purchase of telecommunication, weaponry and demining equipment besides Rs 20.92 crore under security-related expenditure scheme.

The state had received 182 crore under police modernisation. It was also granted Rs 450 crore under Backward District Initiative scheme and the state had so far utilised Rs 348 crore.

Mr Patil's claim that the naxal violence had declined by 6.15 per cent from 1608 in 2005 to 1509 was derided by Mr Yashwant Sinha who alleged that the Home Minister was trying to soft pedal naxal violene by hiding behind figures.

Andhra Pradesh had achieved noteworthy success in controlling the problem through its special forces 'Grey hounds', the Minister said.

The Sashastra Seema Bal had been deployed in Indo-Nepal border to check movement of naxal groups. The Central Para-military forces had been directed to fill 40 of ther vacancies by appointing youth from the naxal affected areas.

UNI