<br/>The government has decided to increase the level of support to the state governments in fighting the Maoists menace. Giving the opening remarks at the meeting of the Chief Ministers of Naxal affected states in New Delhi this morning, the Home Minister Mr. P. Chidamabaram said that the Centre has decided to provide more helicopters for logistics support, troop movement, supplies and evacuation. <br/><br/>The Centre has also decided to fund the establishment and strengthening of 400 police stations in the affected districts. The fund will be made available at the rate of two crore rupees per police station on 80:20 share basis over a period of two years. Requesting the state government of Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal to create a unified command for anti-Naxal operations, he urged them to appoint a retired Major General of the Army as its member besides appointing separate Inspector General of Police for anti-Naxal operations. The Home Minister pointed out that road connectivity will be improved in the 34 districts most affected by the Left Wing extremism at a cost of 950 crore rupees. <br/><br/>The minister further informed that the Planning Commission is considering a special development plan for the affected districts and the states with emphasis on road connectivity, primary education, primary health care and drinking water. Mr. Chidambaram said that consultations have been held with the state governments in this regard and the plan will be placed before the competent authority shortly for approval. The meeting was presided over by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Home Secretary Mr. G.K. Pillai and Secretaries of about half a dozen central ministries, who deal with development, social and infrastructure sectors were also present in the meeting.<br/><br/>The meeting of the chief ministers of Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar deliberated on the situation arising out of the recent Maoist violence and to chalk out a strategy to curb Left-wing extremism. While Jharkhand, which is under President's Rule, was represented by its governor, West Bengal sent its Health Minister for the meeting. AIR correspondent reports, the meeting comes in the wake of a spurt in Naxal attacks. The ultras have killed at least 100 policemen in Chhattisgarh since April and derailed an express train in West Bengal that claimed the lives of nearly 150 people. Government has been maintaining that accelerated development and calibrated police action are the two pillars of its anti-Naxal policy.<br/><br/>According to an estimate, about 40,000 sq km areas in Naxal-affected states are under the control of Maoists. Naxal violence has claimed the lives of over 10,000 civilians and security personnel in the last five years.<br/><br/>Out of a total of 10,268 casualties between 2005 and May 2010, 2,372 deaths have been reported in 2009 as against 1,769 in 2008 and 1,737 in 2007.<br/> Besides, Naxals targeted 362 telephone towers, many school buildings, roads, culverts etc. in 2009 alone.