More forces to tackle naxal violence : YSR

Hyderabad, Sep 7 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today said his government would chalk out a strategy to curb naxal violence by recruiting additional personnel in the 'Anti-naxal' Police Wing and Greyhounds Departments.

Dr Reddy was speaking to newspersons after presiding over an emergency meeting with top police officials here in the wake of Maoist attack on former chief minister and MP N Janardhan Reddy and his wife and State Women and Child Welfare Minister N Rajyalaxmi, who escaped unhurt in the landmine blast which claimed three lives.

''We will strengthen the police forces from local level to tackle the naxal activities in a successful manner. The government will work out a strategy in a week or ten days.

''We will also re-assess the strength of the police force before chalking out a strategy. It is imperative to strengthen the police from sub-divisional to the state level,'' he said.

Terming the naxal attack as ''act of cowardice'', he said ''Maoists wanted to show their presence in the state by resorting to attacks on political leaders.'' To a query, the Chief Minister said ex-gratia payment would be given to the families of the three people killed in the landmine blast at Nellore District this morning.

UNI