Developmental Projects in five LWE affected States reviewed

A meeting was held today in the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Chairmanship of Shri Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary, Minister of State for Home Affairs to review Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar. 

During the meeting, apart from operational issues certain developmental issues such as roads, mobile towers and infrastructure in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) centres were reviewed. 

Shri Chaudhary asked the Directors General of CAPFs to adhere to the time-lines for appropriate utilization of budget available with them. The issues of coordination between the State Police and CAPFs were also discussed and better and enhanced cooperation on the ground was emphasized. 

The meeting was attended by Shri Rajiv Mehrishi, Union Home Secretary, DGs of CAPFs, DGs of State Police and Principal Secretaries (Home) from the concerned States and Senior Officers of the MHA. 

Union Home Minister reviews security scenario in LWE-hit districts of Maharashtra Right time to start mining activities, Rajnath Singh assures adequate security

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh reviewed the security scenario in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected Gadchiroli and Gondia districts of Maharashtra at a meeting here today with the Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways & Shipping Shri Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis. Both Shri Gadkari and Shri Fadnavis were of the view that this is the right time to start mining activities in Gadchiroli as the LWE violence has reduced considerably. 

The State Government of Maharashtra requested for additional deployment of 4 Battalions of CRPF and 2 Bns. of CISF to strengthen security in the areas for this purpose. Presently, 5 Bns. of CRPF are deployed in Gadchiroli. Shri Rajnath Singh assured that the MHA would discuss this issue with DGs of CRPF and CISF and take an appropriate decision in the matter. 

While Gondia has not witnessed any major incident in the past two years, level of violence in Gadchiroli has come down. These two districts are rich in iron ore and other minerals. A number of private companies have shown their interest in starting mining activities in these areas. However, due to LWE threat, these companies have not been able to make any progress in the past. 

Shri Gadkari proposed to train 10-15 thousand local youths through skill development institutes that the State Government intends to set up in association with these private companies. He also gave a detailed account of the potential that exists in Gadchiroli and Gondia. State Government officials also gave a detailed presentation on the issue of mining, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities of various companies and security aspects in the two districts. 

The meeting was convened to strengthen security arrangements so that iron ore and dolomite mining and social infrastructure like hospitals, schools, skill development activities, polytechnics can be taken up in Gadchiroli and Gondia districts.