AP seeks 16 CRPF companies to curb Maoists

Chief Minister K.Rosaiah has urged the Centre to provide 16 additional companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to strengthen the police station security and providing protection to various developmental projects, in view of intense Maoist activity across the border.

Speaking at the Chief Ministers conference on internal security in New Delhi on Sunday, Mr. Rosaiah said extremist violence had been contained to a large extent in the State last year.

He said the security forces did not suffer any casualty last year while more than 300 security personnel laid down their lives in other parts of the country fighting the extremists.

Weak links

But, he pointed out that there were still certain pockets in the agency areas bordering Chhattisgarh and Orissa, where the Maoists exerted influence on tribals. He noted that there were certain weak links in the chain of security of police stations located on the borders of the two States.

Mr. Rosaiah said the main strength of the naxals was the inaccessible terrain.

He urged the Centre to improve the inter-State road network and provide better communication facilities in these areas.

Welfare schemes

He referred to several welfare and developmental initiatives launched by the Congress government in the State to wean away the youth from the naxal problem.

Referring to the ISI-sponsored terrorism, he said it was under check. He pointed out that the government responded in an unprecedented manner by sanctioning an additional strength of 37,500 police personnel. The government responded by creating an anti-terrorist commando organisation - OCTOPUS (Organisation for Counter Terrorist Operations) - on the lines of National Security Guards.

Coastal security

On coastal security, the Chief Minister said six marine police stations have been set up in the first phase and proposals have been sent to the Centre to sanction additional 15 similar stations.