Tuesday, August 22 2006 16:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Identifying naxalism as the single biggest internal security challenge before the country, the Government is pursuing a multi-pronged approach to address the problem on political, security and development fronts in a holistic and coordinated manner.

"The Central Government views the naxalite menace as an area of serious concern.And will continue to coordinate and supplement efforts and resources of state governments on both security and development fronts to meet the challenge posed by naxalism," Home Minister Shivraj Patil said.

He was making a statement in the Lok Sabha regarding status of implementation of the recommendations in the Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs on Demands for Grants (2006-07) of his Ministry.

Referring to Committee's serious concern over the growing influence of naxalism all over the country, Patil said of the total 12,476 police stations, naxal violence was reported from 509 police stations in 11 states last year.

He said CPI (Maoists) have been trying to increase their influence and activity in parts of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Uttaranchal and also in new areas in some of the already affected states.

The Minister, however, said essentially the state governments would need to pursue effective measures to further improve ground level policing and development response besides countering the negative propaganda unleashed by naxalites to contain and control this menace.