Wednesday, July 27 2005 18:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Amid growing Naxal activities in Bihar, Governor Buta Singh today (July 27, 2005) said the center was yet to respond to his request for sparing ten companies of Border Security Force (BSF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITPB) for stepping up surveillance on the Indo-Nepal border in the state.

"I personally met union Home Minister Shivraj Patil in New Delhi during my visit early this month and sought ten companies of BSF and ITBP for intensifying surveillance on the border. I have also written a letter to him a few days ago and his response is awaited", Singh told reporters.

Singh said the (SSB) Director General had visited the state some time ago and had meeting with the state officials to explore measures to check the influx of Maoist rebels from Nepal.

An intensive combing operation had been launched to apprehend the Naxalites, he said.

In reply to a question, Singh said there was already a provision for the treatment of police and special task force personnel injured in anti-Naxalites operations at government cost and he had ordered release of Rs 1.27 crore recently for this purpose.