Govt's efforts for more jobs to youths from Naxal areas

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde also said the government was also "fully alert" about Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba and other foreign elements lending support to CPI(Maoist).

Addressing a press conference here today, he said Naxal affected states were neglected for a long time and government has undertaken various welfare schemes for their development.

Shinde said central police organisations have launched several recruitment drives in these states but due to low educational qualification, many youth could not be recruited.

"We are now thinking to reduce the qualification standard for hiring these youth in police forces," he said.

The Home Minister said many of these youth will be imparted training on skill development on the line of a similar scheme being implemented in Jammu and Kashmir.

"After their training they will be sent for various jobs," he said.

Asked about Maoists getting support from LeT, Shinde said, "We are very alert about foreign elements supporting Naxalites and other groups. We are alert not only to the threat posed by LeT but by any other such group."

He, however, said government was ready to start a dialogue with the Naxals if they shun violence. (MORE)