The Cabinet Committee on Security has approved a new plan to counter Maoists even as the Defence Ministry said it is studying an IAF proposal to open fire at Naxals in self-defence. A senior government official said the CCS meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, in Delhi reviewed the situation and discussed ways to deal with the problem and gave the clearance to the plan. The approval came after Home Minister P Chidambaram warned the Maoists to "abjure" violence or face action.According to the plan, once an area is cleared of the Maoists, developmental activities will be carried out in full swing so that the Maoists cannot return. Air Force and BSF helicopters will be used for reinforcements and evacuation of casualties only but not for any offensive. The operations will be carried out in 20 states affected by the Maoist menace and they will also share intelligence. The police will have the mandate to cross inter-state borders in the hunt for the naxals.