New Delhi, September 13
In the wake of spurt in naxal violence, especially in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has decided to hold a meeting of Chief Ministers of nine states severely affected by left wing extremism here on September 19 to chalk out a new action plan to curb the menace.

The recent incidents in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand clearly indicate that the Naxals are targeting innocent people in those villages where there has been local resistance.

The proposed meeting assumes significance as some of the states severely affected by Naxalism, especially Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, have been repeatedly demanding a “uniform policy” as well as a “united and coordinated operation” from all the affected states.

Meanwhile, condemning the incident in a Jharkhand village in which 15 persons were killed on September 11, a Home Ministry press note said “there has been local resistance by people against Naxalite violence in Chhattisgarh and other states”.

Observing that the Jharkhand attack was against members of a village defence committee, it said “this is more out of desperation because the Naxals feel threatened by the growing anti-Naxalite movement among the people”.