Bhopal, May 10: Top administrative and police officials from nine states, affected by naxalite violence, today held a meeting here to review steps taken to tackle the menace. Briefing reporters, special secretary in the Union home ministry A K Bhandari said officials from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Bihar attended the meeting.
It was decided to share intelligence on tackling the menace between police personnel of the nine states. Replying to a question, Bhandari said in his view, naxalism was a socio-economic as well as a law and order problem.
Stating that naxalite activities had increased in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar during the last four months, Bhandari said Madhya Pradesh government's decision to reduce police personnel in naxalite infested areas of Balaghat district was laudable but only time could tell the effectiveness of the decision. Bureau Report