Anatapur, Feb 19: As part of its action plan to fight the growing naxalite activities in Andhra Pradesh, the Centre has sanctioned a grant of Rs 2.25 billion to the state government and stepped up co-ordinated efforts to tackle the menace. With 15 out of the total 23 districts in the state being identified as naxalite-affected, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 150 million to each district, the Union Minister of State for Home I D Swamy told here while on a visit to Puttaparti, the abode of Sri Satya Sai Baba. The funds would be utilised for modernising the police force and acquiring new weapons, he said.

Calling for better co-ordination among the states affected by extremism, Swamy said Centre and state governments should equally share the costs of modernisation of police force to effectively tackle naxalite activities. Bureau Report