Home Ministry to chalk out new strategy to combat Naxals

As per government statistics, as many as nine cases of kidnapping were reported in 2019 including four in Bihar and five in Jharkhand. Similarly, six such cases including four from Jharkhand, and one each from Bihar and Chhattisgarh were reported in 2020. Two cases of kidnapping and abduction were reported this year from Jharkhand. Writes ETV Bharat Senior Correspondent Gautam Debroy.

New Delhi: Being aware of the fact that Naxal related violence continues unabated, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will sit for a review meeting with Chief Ministers of all Naxal affected States in New Delhi on Sunday. Sources in the government said that the meeting will explore new strategies to fight the menace of Left Wing Extremism (LWE).

"The meeting will also chalk out a new action plan for the security agencies so that anti-Naxal operations get more strength," sources said. Apart from Chief Ministers of all Naxal affected States, the meeting will also be attended by director IB, DGs of central paramilitary forces, representatives of state intelligence bureau among others. The meeting will also review several developmental schemes in LWE affected States.

Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Kerala are Naxal affected states. Sources said that the meeting will also review the action plan to stop the kidnapping and abduction spree carried by LWE. As per government statistics, as many as nine cases of kidnapping were reported in 2019 including four in Bihar and five in Jharkhand. Similarly, six such cases including four from Jharkhand, and one each from Bihar and Chhattisgarh were reported in 2020. Two cases of kidnapping and abduction were reported this year from Jharkhand.

The statistics further said that attacks on economic targets carried by LWE were also reported from different states. As many as 64 such incidents were reported in 2019, 47 incidents in 2020 and 24 incidents targeting economic assets were carried by LWE in 2021 till June. The Naxals attack on mobile towers, mining infrastructure, railway properties, government buildings, schools, roads and bridges.

It may be mentioned here that the Centre has formulated a National Policy and Action Plan in 2015 consisting of a multi-pronged approach comprising security measures, development initiatives and ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities. For the financial inclusion of people in LWE affected districts, 1236 bank branches, 1077 ATMs and 14230 banking correspondents have been institutionalized. Significantly, under a special central assistance scheme for a further impetus to development in the most affected districts, Rs 2598.24 crore has been released to the LWE affected States.