The Union Home Secretary Mr. G.K.Pillai today reiterated that there is no need of deploying the Army to tackle the Naxal menace in the country. Referring to the decision of the Cabinet Committee on Security affairs, Mr. Pillai told that the issue has already been discussed in detail and that there was no urgent need to engage the Army in the naxal hit areas. He however clarified that the Air force will be used only to the extent of logistical support, movement of troops and carrying the injured jawans.<br/><br/>Mr. Pillai was talking to the press persons in Raipur today. He said that the Central Government is fully with the state government in its effort to counter the Maoist menace in the state. He said that adequate funds as well as other assistance under various schemes like police modernization scheme, Special Infrastructure scheme is being given to the state government. He said that a total of 7 India Reserve Battalion has already been sanctioned for Chhattisgarh, of which it has already raised 6 IRB. He expressed satisfaction over the effort of the state government in combating the Maoists and said the same has already started showing results. <br/><br/>Reacting to a question on the alleged lack of coordination between the Central Forces and the state police, Mr. Pillai said whatever differences were there, have already been sorted out in the meeting he held with the top police and administrative officials in Raipur today. <br/><br/>Commenting on the casualties being suffered by the Central Paramilitary forces while fighting the naxalites, as in the recent Narayanpur naxal attack killing 27 CRPF jawans, the Home Secretary said that there is an urgent need for these forces to follow the Standard Operating Procedures in the naxal affected areas more cautiously.<br/><br/>He said the Government has set up an empowered committee with the member-secretary of the P. lanning Commission as its chairman to review the developmenAre tal works being undertaken in the naxal affected areas. He said that the committee has been empowered to relax certain yardsticks of the central schemes which may come in the way of the timely completion of the developmental projects in the naxal affected areas, as per the local conditions.<br/><br/>Clarifying his statement that it may take between 3 to 7 years in overcoming naxalism in the country, Mr. Pillai cited the lack of adequate police force as the reason as to why it would take that much time in solving the problem. He said that at present 34 districts in the country are hit by naxal problem acutely and 83 districts are moderately affected. He also said that there are a total of 220 districts in the country where some or the other naxal incidents has taken place.<br/><br/>Answering a question on the recent bandh call given by the Maoists, Mr. Pillai said that they have said that they would not be targeting the trains. He said that the Government is already for talks with the Left wing ultras provided they abjure violence.<br/><br/>While, the Union Home Secretary Mr. G.K. Pillai stressed on the essentiality of peace and friendship with Pakistan in the long term. Reacting to a question asked in a press meet in Raipur in Chhattisgarh today on the Indo-Pak relations, Mr. Pillai said that during the recent Home Minister level talks in Pakisthan, issues related to follow up of 26/11attack and infiltration were raised. He said that India has received some assurances that the response of the Pakistan government would not disappoint India. He said that India is looking forward to a positive response from Pakistan.