Monday, September 5 2005 15:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Raipur: Chhattisgarh government today (Sept 5, 2005) decided to ban Naxalite organisations in the state, two days after landmine blast triggered by them left 24 securitymen dead.

In an emergency cabinet meeting called today to discuss the issue, it was decided to ban the Maoist organisations, Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh, who chaired the meeting, told PTI here.

Although CPI (Maoist) is banned under a Cental Act but the state ban would help the local police in combating and controlling the frontal organisations of the group also, he said.

The cabinet decision on the proposed ban would be sent to Union Home Ministry for approval and after that other steps would be taken, Singh said. The Chief Minister had earlier said the state government had prepared a Bill (to ban the ultras) but it could not be tabled in the last Assembly session.

After getting Presidential nod on this legislation, the state government would notify which organisations are to be banned under this act, Singh said. From time to time, the situation would be reviewed and banning of other organisations related to Left wing extremism would be taken up, he added.

Naxalites killed 24 security personnel, including 22 CRPF men, when they were travelling in an anti-land mine vehicle near Padeda village, about 12 kms from the district headquarters at Bijapur.