CM meets Ahmed Patel

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday met seven leaders from Naxal-affected states including Chief Minister K Rosaiah to chalk out a strategy to curb Maoists' threat.

The Centre will request the governments of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal to create a unified command for anti-Naxal operations and to appoint a retired Major General of the Army as a member of the command, Home Minister P Chidambaram told the leaders here.

The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is being attended by chief ministers of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. While Jharkhand is being represented by its governor, West Bengal has sent a senior minister for the meet.

Announcing decisions to fight Left-wing extremism, Mr. Chidambaram said government will also provide more helicopters to the states for logistic support, troop movement, supplies and evacuation.

The government will also fund the establishment and strengthening of 400 police stations in the affected districts at the rate of Rs. 2 crore per police station on 80:20 basis over a period of two years.

Chidambaram in his inaugural speech said these decisions were taken in the light of experience gained in the last six months.The Prime Minister will also hear the views of the chief ministers on the issue.

 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah who has been in Delhi since Tuesday met senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel twice in connection with the affairs of Andhra Pradesh. he is expected to have discussed with Patel the byelections and the general law and order position in the state.