CMs agree to tackle Naxal menace jointly

NEW DELHI: The first meeting of the standing committee of chief ministers of naxal affected states that was held on Monday decided on a joint operation against naxalites. The chief ministers agreed to set up joint task forces of states with common borders, intelligence sharing between them and appointment of nodal officers in each state to this end, said Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil after the meeting.

The chief ministers agreed that the menace needed to be tackled by a two-pronged approach: first, to use the police force to combat the naxal menace and second, to undertake development in naxal affected areas which should do away with economic, social and political injustice and provide hope for the future.

Listing the points agreed upon by the CMs, Patil said they agreed on the need for joint action by states whenever necessary. Nodal officers would be appointed by these states to facilitate coordination. Intelligence collection machinery has to be strengthened and its collation systematised and streamlined. The CMs also agreed on the need to share intelligence and the fact that it should be actionable.