Mumbai/UNI: Observing that crores of rupees are being sent to Naxalites every year, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde proposed the formation of a joint group of Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax and Financial Intelligence Department to investigate and stop this money transaction.

Speaking at a meeting organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs at Vigyan Bhawan Delhi on Friday to review the situation of extremism due to left-wing ideology, he raised concern over flourishing of urban Naxalism in the state via social media through internet and advocated for creation of a competent system to prevent it.

The Chief Minister suggested that there is a need to spread the railway network in Naxal-affected areas and said that if rail network is developed in the border areas of Gadchiroli, Chhattisgarh and Telangana, it will be very beneficial for development.

Similarly, development of rail network from Mancherial to Sironcha in Telangana and further from Bhopalpatnam to Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh, would benefit Surjagad's steel project and overall development, he further suggested.

Talking about education, he said that out of nine Eklavya model schools in Maoist-affected areas, three are operational, while four schools are under construction.

The Chief Minister also said that the policemen injured in Naxal operation should get medical treatment as soon as possible, and in this regard, DGCA rules for night landing should be relaxed so that they, like the military, should be allowed to land helicopters at night during operations and rescue operations, he suggested.

While preventing Naxalites, he informed that since last year various development schemes are being implemented effectively in Naxal affected areas.

These measures will soon be successful in completely wiping out Naxalism in areas like Gadchiroli, he said.

Thanking the Centre for sanctioning Rs 57.50 crore funds for special infrastructure facilities in Naxal-affected areas, Shinde said that operations will be intensified in next two years to shake the grip of Naxalites.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah presided over the meeting. Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister

Devendra Fadnavis, chief secretary Manoj Saunik, director general of police Rajnish Seth, principal secretary to Chief Minister Brijesh Singh were present in this meeting.