Centre will now target Maoists and LWE to speed up development

After taking decisive actions on both eliminating the terrorism in Kashmir and the abrogation of article 370, the government of India has set a precedent of eliminating threats that endanger the law and order in the country. Now, the central government seems to be shifting its focus to other components of terrorism in the country. The Central government now aims to combat Maoists in order to speed up the development in the areas affected by left-wing extremism.

READ | Maoists along with their commander surrender before Gadchiroli police

High-level meeting on dealing with Maoists 

A high-level meeting, chaired by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, was held in Chhattisgarh's Jagdalpur to review left-wing extremism and related issues in the region. A new strategy has been discussed in the meeting which aims to focus on operations and development in red zones, according to a senior officer who is said to have attended the meeting. Director of the Intelligence Bureau Arvind Kumar, Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) RR Bhatnagar and other top officers of Chhattisgarh including Chief Secretary and Police chief of Chhattisgarh as well as officers from Odisha and Telangana were said to be present at the meeting.

READ | Chhattisgarh: Two killed in encounter between Maoists and Police

'Government committed to uprooting left-wing extremism'

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on August 26 had also held a meeting with the chief ministers of all the states affected by the 10 red zones. Shah has said after the meeting that the central government is committed to uprooting left-wing extremism (LWE) which is against the idea of democracy.

Shah, after the meeting had tweeted, "Had a very fruitful meeting with the CMs of the LWE-affected states. Discussed several issues related to the security and development of these states. Left-Wing Extremism is against the idea of democracy, and under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi we are committed to uprooting it."

READ | Jharkhand: Two Jawans martyred in encounter with Maoists near Ranchi

"Centre is keen on speeding up development, and road construction in the Naxal affected area. Forces have been asked to operate in a manner that can also boost development in these affected areas," a senior officer was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Reportedly seven more battalions of the CRPF will also be sent to the red zone to deal with Maoists' menace. According to the sources these battalions will be deployed majorly in Sukma district as it is the most affected area followed by Dantewada.

READ | 2 Maoists killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district

(With ANI inputs)