Raising concerns about the activities of ‘Naxal fronts’ in some universities, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said that after the conviction of Professor Saibaba, the militants were planning to take revenge by carrying out attacks.
In March, a sessions court in Gadchiroli had sentenced the then Delhi University professor to life imprisonment for his links with Naxals.
It is learnt that the Chief Minister, at a review meeting of the left-wing extremism situation on Monday, said those indulging in pro-Naxal propaganda in some universities in Delhi, Pune, Patna and Hyderabad were also instrumental in creating a sympathiser base. The propaganda fights were not in Gadchiroli or Sukma, but in these universities, he said.
Attack on mine
Mr. Fadnavis also highlighted the December 2016 attack on the Surjagarh mining project, which was launched in March last year. “Over 70 trucks were set ablaze at the mining site, causing a serious damage. The project was, however, re-started a month later after more security was provided. However, given the level of threat, the State has sought additional deployments till the time Indian Reserve Battalions are ready to take over,” said an official.
States like Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar sought helicopters for more effective action against the Naxals. They urged the Centre to provide more funds to modernise security equipment and continue or revive the Centrally sponsored schemes.
Criticising the Union government for stopping certain capacity enhancement schemes, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said it had badly affected development works in affected areas. There had been a 60% decline in Naxal-related violence in the State between 2011 and 2016.
Use of technology
Talking to the media, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said the use of technology was a must for ensuring speedy development in Naxal-hit areas. For a coordinated action against the armed extremists, an area Superintendent of Police-led unified command at the district level would also be set up.
Surrender policy
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das, at the review meeting, said there was close to 50% decline in Naxal-related incidents in the State in the past two years. The State had come up with a new surrender-rehabilitation policy for the extremists. Over 80 of them have surrendered in the past two years, as compared to 70 between 2001 and 2014. He also sought funds for modernisation of madrasas in a couple of districts bordering West Bengal for fighting Naxal activities.
