Centre sanctions Rs 2.25 billion grant to tackle naxalites

Anantapur, Feb. 19: As part of its action plan to fight the growing naxalite activities in Andhra Pradesh, the Centre has sanctioned a grant of Rs 2.25 billion to the state government and stepped up coordinated efforts to tackle the menace.

With 15 out of the total 23 districts in the state being identified as naxalite-affected, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 150 million to each district, the Union minister of state for home I.D. Swamy said here while on a visit to Puttaparti, the abode of Sri Satya Sai Baba.

The funds would be utilised for modernising the police force and acquiring new weapons, he said.

Calling for better co-ordination among the states affected by extremism, Swamy said Centre and state governments should equally share the costs of modernisation of police force to effectively tackle naxalite activities. (PTI)