CM's meet agrees to set up Unified Command to combat Naxals

 A meeting of Chief Ministers from Naxal-affected states today unanimously cleared the decks for creation of a Unified Command and deployment of additional helicopters to bolster anti-Maoist operations.        

The meeting, which was chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and attended by Home Minister P Chidambaram, also approved raising of 34 new battalions of India Reserve Battalion (IRB) for combating Left-wing extremism.

It cleared other proposals related to induction of more Special Police Officers (SPOs) and exclusive development schemes for the Maoist-hit states.

The Unified Command, with a retired Major General rank officer onboard, will be created in Chhattisgarh, Orrisa, Jharkhand and West Bengal while more helicopters will be deployed for logistical support, troop movement, supplies and evacuation, according to official sources.

The meeting was attended by Chief Ministers of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. While Jharkhand was represented by its Governor, West Bengal has sent a senior minister for the meet.

According to the sources, the Prime Minister while addressing the conference, told the states, "We have to fight together, we are with you and issues of development have to be dealt with together."

The meet also cleared the governments' proposal to 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 2 years.

Chidambaram, in his inaugural speech, said these decisions were taken in the light of experience gained in the last 6 months.

Chidambaram said 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.

The other proposals include implementation of the provisions of the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled) Areas (PESA) Act strictly and vigorously to particularly ensure that rights over minor forest produce are assigned to the Gram Sabhas and the inter-position of Government controlled departments, corporations and cooperatives are removed.

The road connectivity in 34 districts most affected by Maoist menace will also be improved, the Home Minister said.

"A number of roads and bridges are proposed to be included, at a cost of Rs 950 crore, by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways," he said.