Home Minister to convene high-level meeting to discuss naxal situation

New Delhi, Feb 5 (ANI): The Union Home Ministry has convened a high-level meeting here today to discuss naxal situation in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Chhattisgarh.

The Directors General of Police of the four naxal-hit states have been summoned by the Ministry for a thorough review of the situation.

The meeting will also discuss the follow-up action that need to be taken on the decisions taken at the meeting of the Chief Ministers of the naxal affected states on January 7.

The meeting will be chaired by the Special Secretary (Internal Security) Raman Srivastava in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Over 70 districts in the country are affected by Left wing extremism, which has been described by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a "virus" and the biggest internal security threat.

In continuing naxal violence in around a dozen states, over 400 people, including over 150 security men, have been killed so far this year.

The Government recently approved formation of a 10,000-strong special anti-Naxal force "COBRA" - Combat Battalion for Resolute Action - to tackle the menace.

In another decision, the Union Cabinet approved creation of 48 new posts of Special Directors General, Additional Directors General and Inspectors General in various central police organisations keeping in view functional necessity.

These posts will strengthen the supervisory structure of these organisations for better command and control. (ANI)