Centre not taking up naxalism problem seriously: Minister

Sagar, MP, May 5 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Minister of State for Home Nagendra Singh today alleged that the Centre was not taking up the issue of naxalism seriously.

Mr Singh told reporters here today that the Centre did not accede to the government's request to declare Sidhi, Annupur and Umaria districts as naxailte-affected.

He said declaring these districts naxalite-affected would have made financial help and additional police force available for tackling naxals.

He said declaring a district naxal-affected was in the jurisdiction of the Centre.

Mr Singh said a planned conspiracy was being hatched by someone to foment naxalism in the country, as the terror could be seen spreading along a line from eastern Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

He said the state government was dealing with the menace from its own limited resources.

The Minister said the Police Act was being amended as per the directions of the Supreme Court. The state needed about 30,000 police personnel at present. About 3,000 police personnel were being recruited this year.

UNI