India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Thursday said Maoist cadres in the country are gaining in strength and have displayed military potential. Addressing the three-day annual DGPs/IGPs conference here, Shinde said: "Naxalism continues to pose a significant challenge. Seven states are experiencing different levels of intensity of this problem. However, nearly 80 per cent of Naxal violence is taking place in less than 30 districts and many of them are close to inter-state boundaries." Shinde said there are indicators about increase in the number of trained armed cadres, and reorganisation of military potential for formation of new battalions. The Home Minister further said the government is implementing the Integrated Action Plan (IAP) in 82 districts of the country with focus on creating public infrastructure and services. "An ambitious road development plan is under progress at a total cost of 7300 crore rupees in 34 most left wing extremism affected districts," he added. He also urged the states to give priority to effective implementation of developmental schemes leading to all-round development of Left wing extremism affected areas for a permanent solution to this problem.

Naxalism a significant challenge: Home Minister