Maoists, terrorists are AP’s worries: Rosaiah

New Delhi, Feb. 7: The Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, on Sunday urged the Centre to help in developing proper infrastructure in interior areas of the state. The request has come in the backdrop of difficulties faced by security forces in dealing with left-wing extremists.

While addressing the Chief Ministers’ Conference on Internal Security here, Mr Rosaiah said left-wing extremism and Pakistan’s ISI-sponsored terrorism were the two major threats to the security of Andhra Pradesh. The inaccessible terrain is the main strength of Maoists in the state, he said adding that the state government has requested the Centre to improve the inter-state road network.

“Better communication facilities in these areas are also an important requirement. We have sought the help of the Government of India in developing proper infrastructure in interior areas to facilitate developmental activities and also operations by security forces,” he said.

By and large, peace is restored in most of the highly-affected rural areas in the state, said the Chief Minister adding that there are still certain pockets in the areas bordering Chhattisgarh and Orissa where the Maoists have considerable influence on the tribals.

“In view of the intense activity of the Maoists across the border, strengthening the police station security and providing protection to various developmental projects close to the borders is crucial. For this purpose, we also requested the Central government to provide 16 additional companies of Central Reserve Police Force,” said the Chief Minister.

On the state government’s effort to check ISI-sponsored terrorism in AP, Mr. Rosaiah said the state and district level special branches have been recently strengthened as per the guidelines issued by the Union Home Ministry. Adequate number of security personnel have also been deployed for surveillance and intelligence gathering at the police stations in the state, he added.