Nine Chhattisgarh districts in worst Naxal-infested list

Half of the Chhattisgarh's 18 districts would now come under the category of worst Naxal-infested districts enabling it to be covered under Centre's security-related expenditure (SRE) scheme.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs had given consent to state government proposal to include three more districts under SRE scheme to facilitate effective combat against Naxalites Chhattisgarh government”, official spokesperson said.

The districts include two revenue districts including Dhamtari, Mahasamund and police district Gariyaband part of Raipur revenue district.

With the inclusion of three more districts, the number of revenue districts to be covered under the SRE scheme in Chhattisgarh would go up to nine besides one police district.

The state, which is one of the worst Naxal-infested states in the country, has 18 revenue districts.

At present, seven revenue districts are covered under the scheme.

According to officials with the department of home, the scheme ensures reimbursement of all security-related expenditure in the district by the Union government.

Modernisation of police stations, transportation of the force, deployment of security personnel, paying compensation to the people and jawans killed in Naxal attack are among the benefits that the state will get.

The authorities have however heaved a sigh of relief that the Centre had agreed to cover more districts under the scheme for funding the force to combat the red army.

But the matter of concern for the officials is the expansion of Naxal network in the state, that too in the fresh pockets.

“The district is included in the SRE only when it is established that the Naxalites have started operation and have started expanding their sway among the people in that particular area”, a senior police official said.