Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today sought framing of a strategy to deal with Naxal sympathisers based in various universities, including those in the national capital.
Addressing a conference of the chief ministers of Naxalism-affected states, Fadnavis said frontal organisations of Naxals were also a matter of concern.
"The propaganda fights are not in (Naxal hotbeds of) Gadchiroli or Sukma, but it is in universities of Delhi, Pune or Patna or Hyderabad. They (Naxal sympathisers) are organising strategies for Naxals. An army of Naxal sympathisers is as dangerous as the militant operatives," he said at the meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
The Maharashtra chief minister's comments came amid allegations by saffron outfits that educational institutes have become base for Maoists.
The chief minister said an aggressive strategy needs to be developed to combat Naxalism in the state and the use of communication technology and 360 degree connectivity is of paramount importance in this regard.
Fadnavis requested the Centre to release the projected funds under security-related expenditure and also asked for reimbursement of expenditure of Rs 45 crore incurred by the state government for financial year 2016-17.
While listing steps taken for managing security at mining sites in the state, Fadnavis demanded that at least two battalions of CAPF should be provided to look after site and transport corridor security for a two-year period from September 2017 onwards.
He said that to overcome the shortage of mine-protected vehicles, 39 such vehicles have been approved for Naxalism- affected areas while the police force has been provided with sufficient arms and ammunition.
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