Bihar and Jharkhand chief ministers skip Chidambaram's meeting

Kolkata, Feb 9 (ANI): Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren have decided to skip Tuesday's meeting convened by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to help the four Naxal-affected states of West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar and Jharkhand to co-ordinate their campaign against Naxals.

Soren has sent his deputy Sudesh Mahato, while Nitish Kumar has sent the State Home Secretary for the meeting.

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will attend today's meeting and chalk out strategies to counter the Naxal threat.

Official sources have said the meeting will review at length the strategy adopted to deal with Naxals in the three States and co-ordination among them as Naxals often from one State to another after committing a crime.

The discussion today will stress on the offensive that will be launched at the interstate junctions of West Bengal-Jharkhand or Bihar-Jharkhand, as these areas are considered to be a breeding ground of the Naxalites.

Issues of development will also be discussed during the daylong meet.

Director General of Police (DGP)'s of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF) will also attend the meeting along with the top police officials of the Naxal-affected four states. (ANI)