Can't claim Naxal activities ended till movement stops: Patil

GADCHIROLI: The Maharashtra government today said it cannot be claimed that Naxal activities in Gadchiroli district have ended until the movement comes to a complete halt.

When asked by reporters whether activities of the ultras have come down in the Naxal-hotbed, state Home Minister R R Patil said, "The Naxal activities cannot be claimed to have decreased till the movement is fully stopped."

Patil was in the city to participate in the District Planning Council {DPC} meeting.

He, however, commended the work of police and security forces in the district, saying they have stepped up their activities which have been showing positive results.

On the slow pace of development in the district, Patil said there was a lot of developmental backlog and efforts were being made to carry on with the works.

The Gadchiroli jail will also be functional soon as the recruitment of the jail staff has been started, he said.

The financial provision for the long awaited Wadsa- Gadchiroli railway line will be made in the state budget, the Home Minister said.