New Delhi, Mar 23 The Centre has decided to assist the Naxal-affected states by allocating Rs 500 crore for them during 11th five-year plan. The fund,

New Delhi, Mar 23 The Centre has decided to assist the Naxal-affected states by allocating Rs 500 crore for them during 11th five-year plan. The fund, under a new scheme, would be invested in providing critical mobility to the police by upgrading existing roads and tracks in inaccessible areas and securing camping grounds and helipads at strategic locations in remote and interior areas.

Sources in the Union home ministry said, helicopters had been provided to affected states for rushing central para-military forces and evacuating injured people and security personnel, but absence of helipads in those areas have become a kind of handicap.

The fully Centre-funded scheme will also be aimed at providing security to police stations and outposts by strengthening those at risk. There have been several incidents of naxals storming police stations in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa, in which personnel have been attacked and arms looted.

Through the plan, to be implemented by the state governments concerned, the Centre intends to upgrade and strengthen approach roads to police stations and outposts where there is risk of attack by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and landmines.

The scheme envisages provision for critical needs, specific to areas and districts where holistic anti-naxalite measures are being taken up in a focused manner, the sources said.

Financial assistance is also provided to affected states for combating naxalism under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE). Under this, reimbursement is provided by the home ministry to naxal-affected states for security-related expenditure in respect of ex-gratia payment for civilians and security personnel killed.

Cost of ammunition for anti-naxalite operations and training to state police forces are met under the scheme, which also takes care of community policing and security-related infrastructure by village defence committees.

“The state police, being directly concerned with law and order, need to improve their functioning and be equipped with the latest technology,” a senior home ministry official said.