Communist terrorism in retreat: Naxal violence has come down significantly in the country, Union Minister says in Rajya Sabha

Minister of State for Home Affairs, G. Kishan Reddy has said that Naxal violence has come down significantly in the country.

He was replying to a supplementary during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha today. He said that this year 390 Naxalites have surrendered so far, which was 644 last year. He said the Centre is in regular contact with State Governments to tackle the Naxal issue and the surrender of them is being facilitated with proper measures for their rehabilitation.

On development projects in Naxal-affected areas, the Minister said 212 crore rupees has been sanctioned to the states concerned for carrying out special schemes. He said, 4,072 additional mobile towers have been sanctioned in such areas, adding, more than a thousand have been already erected. Besides, 5,422 kilometre-long National Highway projects and rural roads of total length of 5,655 kilometres in the affected regions have also been approved and the road laying works are going on.