More forces needed to combat insurgency: Mahto

Jamshedpur, Apr 8 (UNI) Jharkhand Deputy Chief Minister Sudhir Mahto today urged the Centre to deploy adequate para-military forces in the naxal-dominated districts in view of the rise in their attacks.

Talking to mediapersons here, Mr Mahto admitted that the state police lacked required forces to combat the insurgency problem and demanded 25 to 30 companies of additional para-military forces.

Mr Mahto reacted to the killings of six police and CISF jawans during naxal attacks at Bermo near Bokaro on April sixth and sought Centre's assistance in tackling the problem as it was not confined to the state alone.

''In fact, extremism and terrorism are international problems and we have to give a serious thought to curb such divisive forces,'' Mr Mahto reiterated.

Besides, Mr Mahto stressed on launching development projects in the rural areas as unemployment led the youth to join the subversive force.

He further said the UPA government in the state had already launched a number of state and Centrally sponsored projects including National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) in all the districts, where about 5,500 officials would be appointed by May.

He also hoped that with the implementation of development projects, the rebels would return to the mainstream of the society.

Mr Mahto, however, said the government had no immediate plans to initiate talks with the ultras and was not in favour of reviewing the existing surrender policy.

Significantly, Chief Minister Madhu Koda had advocated to review the policy soon after the assassination of Jamshedpur MP Sunil Mahto by the naxalites at Baghuria near here on March fourth.

Asked about the announcement of Nagarik Suraksha Samity (NSS), a village committee formed to wage battle against the ultras and launch ''Sendra''(Killings) against the Maoists, Mr Mahto said the NSS was free to launch any movement and the government would provide security to them.

UNI