Central Govt wants unified command in Naxal-hit states

New Delhi: In a fresh strategy to combat the Naxal menace, the Government on Wednesday asked Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal to create a unified command for anti-Maoist operations and to appoint a retired Major General of the Army as its member.

Home Minister P Chidambaram said that Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal to create a unified command for anti-Maoist operations and to appoint a retired Major General of the Army as its member.

The Centre will "request the state governments of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal to create a unified command for anti-Naxal operations and to appoint a retired Major General of the Army as a member of the command," Home Minister P Chidambaram said addressing leaders of seven Naxal-affected states here.

A meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is being attended by chief ministers of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is being attended by chief ministers of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. While Jharkhand is being represented by its governor, West Bengal has sent a senior minister for the meet.
Announcing decisions to fight Left-wing extremism, Chidambaram said government will also provide more helicopters to the states for logistic support, troop movement, supplies and evacuation. The government will also fund the establishment and strengthening of 400 police stations in the affected districts at the rate of Rs two crore per police station on 80:20 basis over a period of two years.

Home Minister Chidambaram said these decisions were taken in the light of experience gained in the last six months.

Chidambaram in his inaugural speech said these decisions were taken in the light of experience gained in the last six months. Chidambaram also said that Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal will be requested to appoint an officer of the rank of Inspector General of Police (IGP) as IGP (anti-Naxal operations) for each state who will be co-ordinating the anti-Naxal operations with their counterparts in the CRPF which has already appointed officers for similar exclusive anti-Naxal duties.