Centre to develop Khammam to checkmate Maoist impact

Khammam,Nov 20: The Union Government has taken up several special measures to develop the remote areas in the district to contain the increasing impact of the Maoist movement.The Centre has also recognized Khammam as one of 32 most Naxalite-prone districts in the country and the most-affected region in Andhra Pradesh.Therefore,the Government has evolved an action plan to curb the Maoist domination by working for the improvement of the agency area.The Government,according to indications,is bent upon taking on the Maoists on one hand,while taking up the welfare and developmental activities in the Naxalite-affected regions.As part of it, the Union Government has sanctioned Rs.415 crore under the Prime Minister's Grameena Sadak Yojana for provision of basic infrastructure in the district.

The district administration plans to gear up the development works such as laying roads,barracks and helipads in the Agency.About 227 roads will be relayed under the scheme.Thandas which have 250 or more inhabitants would be taken up for development by the Government.The district police higher-ups also suggested laying up of 11 roads under thescheme in areas predominated by the Maoists under the scheme.They also suggested construction of barracks and helipads.Seven helipads will be built in Chinthuru, Allapalli,Karakagudem and Gundala police station limits. The Government believes that Naxalism has thrived due to the continued poverty and unemployment in the tribal areas. Naxals have been luring the youth by pointing at the apathetic attitude of the rulers while destroying the properties installed by the government.Hence,the Government has begun to concentrate on the amelioration of the tribal youth and trying to provide them with employment so they can be weaned away from the path of theMaoists.