Central plan to tackle Naxals issue in Maharashtra

The Central government has formulated an integrated action plan to be implemented in the Naxal-infested Gondia and Gadhchiroli districts in Maharashtra, the state legislature was informed Mumbai on Monday.

"I hope this will reinforce the efforts of the state government for providing the basic needs and employment opportunities to people in these areas," governor K Sankaranarayanan said in his address to Budget session of the state legislature.

"In order to provide specialised training to police in anti-Naxal operations in forest areas, 'Alpha Hawk Academy' is being established at Nagpur," he said.

With a view to strengthen the coastal security, the state government has established 12 coastal police stations and 32 check posts and 7 additional coastal police stations will also be established. For coastal security, 57 boats will be made available out of which 28 boats have already been delivered, he said.

The government has taken a decision to establish a Marine Police Training Academy in Raigad district, he said.

From the security perspective, smart cards have been issued to 75,558 fishermen and 22,946 fishing vessels while 1,434 non-fishing vessels are being registered.