Naxal-affected states agree to joint operations

In a major war against Maoist violence, seven Naxal-affected states will soon launch a joint offensive along with the centre.

A consensus to this effect emerged at a meeting of chief ministers of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand governor and a West Bengal representative, home ministry sources said today.

These states have given their consent for a joint operation to be launched soon, they said.

However, the date for launching the operation has not been finalised and no decision has been taken whether to take Army assistance to flush out the Naxals from deep jungles.

The scale of operation, coordination among the forces, training and other details will be worked out by the security experts on the ground, they said.

At yesterday's meeting of these states, home minister P Chidambaram had said Naxalism posed a serious threat not only to national security, but also to development as vital infrastructure like roads, bridges, railways, school buildings and communication and electricity towers have been blown up.

The states have been asked to strengthen rural policing by filling up vacancies and fortifying police stations and frame an attractive surrender and rehabilitation policy and cut off flow of funds and supply of arms and ammunition to Naxals.

The states have also been told by the home ministry to strengthen their intelligence set-up.