Rajnath reviews security in Maharashtra's Maoist-hit areas

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday reviewed the security scenario in Maharashtra's Maoist-affected Gadchiroli and Gondia districts, an official statement said.

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were present at the meeting, said the home ministry press release.

At the meet, Gadkari and Fadnavis were of the view that this is the right time to begin mining activities in Gadchiroli as left-wing extremism violence has reduced considerably, it said.

The release said that the state government requested for additional deployment of four battalions of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and two battalions of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to strengthen security in the two districts for mining activities.

Singh assured that his ministry would discuss this issue with the CRPF and CISF chiefs and take an appropriate decision in the matter.