Need to develop strong communication network in naxal-affected areas

Need to develop strong communication network in naxal-affected areas

State Government is committed to end extremism: Urged Centre for Co-operation 
CM Shri Kamal Nath at Meeting of Chief Ministers of Naxal-affected States 

Bhopal : Expressing his commitment in fight against naxalism the Chief Minister Shri Kamal Nath said that there's a need to develop strong and effective communication network in the naxal-affected areas so that there is quick information collection and immediate action. Shri Kamal Nath said that all efforts are being made to eliminate the menace of naxalism from the state. He called for joint efforts of the union government and the state for permanent solution to end naxalism. Shri Kamal Nath was speaking at the review meeting of Chief Ministers of naxal-affected states called by the Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah at Vigyan Bhawan at New Delhi today. Chief Ministers of eleven states participated in the meeting.Informing about the steps taken by the State Government in dealing with naxalism in state, Shri Kamal Nath said that HAWK force was created in the year 2000. The participative developmental policies succeeded in limiting naxalism only to two districts Balaghat and Mandla. The State Police has been instructed to co-ordinate with Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh Police. Greater emphasis has been put on modernization of police force. They have been equipped with modern gadgets such as trackers, GPS, drones, trap cameras, body protective armours and jungle terrain vehicles. He emphasized on coupling technologies with human intelligence. Shri Kamal Nath said that a Special Intelligence Branch has been formed for Naxal-affected areas.Shri Kamal Nath pointed out that in the naxal affected areas; poor connectivity is the main issue which hampers collection and sharing of information. He requested the Government of India for making provision of at least 4G connectivity in Balaghat and Mandla districts. He said that communication network in Naxal-affected areas heavily depends on police wireless due to poor telephone and mobile network coverage. There is only 50% 2G connectivity in the tribal blocks. He requested the DMG for sanctioning of Rs. 33.74 crores for which the proposal and DPR has been submitted to the central government under PMGY for constructions of two roads and one bridge in Balaghat and two roads and three bridges in Mandla district. Shri Kamal Nath requested for early sanctioning of funds for the year 2019-20 for setting up of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) in one block in Balaghat (Birsa) and four blocks in Mandla (Mainpur, Beejadandi, Mawai and Mohgaon).Chief Minister Shri Kamal Nath expressed the need of financial inclusion of the citizens. He said presently there are 6.6 bank branches per lakh of population in Balaghat and Mandla against the state average of 10.58. While area per bank branch is approx. 102.5 sq.km. against the state average of 49 sq.km. To deal with such a situation, the state government has launched a financial literacy campaign on this year at 89 tribal blocks of the State from 16th August to 15th September 2019. About 30 financial literacy camps will be organised during this period in each tribal block. This includes 12 tribal blocks of Mandla and Balaghat districts.Shri Kamal Nath informed that the government is committed to protect the rights of tribals. Out of 6.26 lakh patta claim applications received, rights have been given in 2.66 lakh cases. Instructions have been given to review all the 3.66 lakh applications which were rejected largely due to incomplete documents. He informed that 'Van Mitra' portal has been started for comprehensive, transparent and speedy disposal of all 3.6 lakh rejected claims in all districts of the state.Chief Secretary Shri S.R. Mohanty, DGP Shri V.K. Singh and ADG Shri G.P. Singh also attended the conference.