Maharashtra sets up panel to review law & order

Maharashtra sets up panel to review law & order
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

MUMBAI, DECEMBER 31: The Congress-led Democratic Front government in the State has set up a high-level committee to review the law and order situation, in view of the increased violence by Naxalites in parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada.

According to reports, 12 relatives of police or police informers were shot dead, allegedly by Naxals, in Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts during the last two months.

The committee headed by Minister of State for Home (Rural) Manikrao Thackre will meet on Tuesday to take stock of the situation. Besides Thackre Kripa Shankar Singh Minister of State for Home (City), Director General of Police Arvind Inamdar, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) V Rangnathan and senior officials of the finance department as well as the anti-Naxalite cell are the other members of the committee.

According to a senior official, immediately after the meeting, Thackre will visit some of the Naxal-infested districts in the two regions.

``Following the brutal murder of a Minister from MadhyaPradesh, security in the entire belt has been beefed up. Additional security has been provided to cabinet members as well as elected representatives,'' the official said.

During the last two months, Naxalites have stepped up activities in Gondia, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Yeotmal districts of Vidarbha and Nanded in Marathwada. ``Till recently, they were mainly concentrated in Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Nanded districts. However, now, they have spread to Yeotmal and Gondia districts too. Certainly, it was a matter of concern for the government,'' the official said.

Additional companies of the state reserve police force have also been deployed to the troubled villages, the official informed.

The sudden increase in the number of murders during the past two months indicated that the state government had failed in its efforts to mobilise villagers against the Naxalites, the official admitted. ``We will have to redraft our strategy to tackle the Naxal menace and ensure that villagers are not lured bythem,'' the official added.