New Delhi: Funds, Forces, unmanned aerial
vehicles and modern communication gadgets figure high on the
wishlist of chief ministers from Naxal affected-areas
presented before the Centre during the meet on internal
security here.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan demanded unmanned
aerial vehicle and latest satellite phones to tackle Naxals in
dense forests.
"The Left-wing violence in the East has also escalated,
with a paradigm shift in the strategy adopted by the LW
extremists... There can be no difference of opinion that peace
and tranquility and development have to go hand in hand," he
said.
Raman Singh, Chief Minister of one of the worst affected
states, Chhattisgarh, demanded that the Centre should share
the cost of tackling Naxalism as it is not an "exclusive state
level issue".
He sought Rs 815 crore from the 13th Finance Commission
for development of police forces and also demanded two
battalions of Central Para-military Forces (CPMF) for tackling
Naxalism in the state.
West Bengal, which has three districts affected with
Naxalism, demanded additional central forces to tackle the
menace.
Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee demanded
"additional help" from the Centre to tackle the problem.
Bhattacharjee said some recent success against the
Left-wing extremists has added momentum to the effort.
"The morale of the force is now high and the time is
right to mount pressure on the extremists. Some additional
help at this crucial stage will be necessary to achieve our
immediate tasks," he said.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah said the CPI
(Maoist) perceives a real threat to its existence from the
welfare and developmental activities taken up by the
government.
Observing that the "main strength" of Maoists is the
inaccessible terrain, Rosaiah said Andhra Pradesh has
requested the Centre to improve the inter-state road network.
Better communication facilities in these areas are also
an important requirement, he said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati raised the issue of
not getting clearance of funds for development in the
Naxal-belt of the state.
"The state government is investing in roads in Naxal-
affected areas for smooth movement of security forces. A
request of Rs 729 crore was sent to Centre in September 2009
but it has not been cleared...special rehabilitation programme
in Naxal-affected areas (is) of Rs 84 crore but only 8-9
crore (has been) cleared which is very less," she said.
PTI
