Anti-naxal operations in Palamau district in Jharkhand could have got impetus had nine long-pending road projects been completed, Senior Advisor in Union Home Ministry K Vijay Kumar said today.
"It is a matter of concern that nine road projects in the district remained pending for a long period and needed to be implemented on priority basis," Kumar told newsmen after reviewing the naxal situation with senior district and police officials here.
"The anti-naxal operations would have got impetus had these roads been completed," he said, expressing concern over the delay in the construction of these roads.
Expressing satisfaction over the improvement made as far as dealing with naxalites were concerned, the former CRPF DGP said the Maoists here did not have any firing squad of their own and those from adjoining borders had been committing naxal incidents in Palamau.
Cautioning security personnel and officials about other criminals and asking them to sternly deal with them, Kumar said the state has adequate force to tackle naxalite and criminals, "who are also hindering irrigation projects".
Jharkhand police chief Rajeev Kumar, Palamau Deputy Commissioner K N Jha, Superintendent of Police Y S Ramesh and other officials were present during the review meeting in which naxal issue and development projects were discussed.
