Terrorism, Left Wing Extremism big challenges to development: Syed Ahmed

RANCHI: Appealing to Maoists to shun the path of violence, Jharkhand Governor Syed Ahmed today said terrorism and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) were big challenges to the progress of the state and the nation.

Unfurling the tri-colour on the 66th Republic Day celebrations here, Ahmed said the state has taken a strong initiative in rooting out LWE.

Lauding the initiatives in linking security strategies with progressive works in Jharkhand, Ahmed said now the security personnel could participate in developmental works along with anti-Naxal operations.

A network of roads would be laid in Naxal-affected areas with the help of local people, he said and appealed to the misguided youths to shun the path of violence as it was not a solution to any problem.

As per the government's aim to provide employment opportunities to the people in villages and improve their economic conditions, Ahmed said broiler poultry have been distributed to the unemployed under National Agriculture Development Yojana.

Among several other initiatives, the Governor spelt out programmes taken or being taken up under animal husbandry, fisheries, agriculture, skill training, irrigation, computerisation and education.

He added that India is the only country where maximum welfare schemes were going on and the Jharkhand Right to Service Act, 2011 would be implemented more effectively to take every scheme to all the beneficiaries.

He said the NTPC was in the process of taking over Patratu Thermal Power Station to enable Jharkhand become self-sufficient in the energy sector.