-The Hindu PM’s statement that seven States are naxal-affected is at variance with Home Ministry’s figure How many States are affected by left-wing extremism? The answer could vary, if one is to go by official statements made at different times. Addressing the annual conference of the DGPs/IGPs in Delhi on Saturday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said seven States were affected. He spoke about the “ability of left-wing extremists in increasing their numbers and...

-The Hindu Home Ministry wants the Chief Ministers to head the mechanism Concerned at Maoists augmenting their strike capabilities and getting more organised, the Centre wants the Chief Ministers of the worst naxal-affected States of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa to head their unified commands to deal with the threat more effectively. “In the past two years, these unified commands have been virtually lying defunct. They were supposed to meet once every month, but...

-PTI Seven districts in Delhi have come "under the influence" of Maoists while 84 districts across the country witnessed violent activities of naxal rebels. Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh said the districts in the national capital which have come under the influence of Left wing extremism are Central Delhi, New Delhi, South Delhi, North West Delhi, South West Delhi, North and North East. There are nine districts in Delhi. "In 2011, a...

-The Times of India Even as Red menace continues to be a major internal security challenge affecting almost one-third of total districts in the country, West Bengal — parts of which was once a hotbed of Maoist activities — has shown a remarkable improvement with none of its naxal-affected district reporting any casualty in the first seven months this year. Bihar comes next, reporting significant improvement in terms of reduced incidents and...

-The Hindustan Times With security forces under pressure to ensure that civilians do not get caught in cross-fire in the Red Corridor, Maoists have started deploying members of the Jan Militia in plains clothes as human shields during attacks on the forces. Home Ministry officials said forces fighting naxals were being advised to account for this strategy in its operations. The naxal change in strategy comes after the June 28 encounter between...