New Delhi, Feb. 12: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today reviewed the Naxal situation in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

Senior officers of both states briefed him about the situation in a meeting held here, and also informed him about the steps being taken by the State Governments to deal with the threat. They also apprised him of the utilization of the funds, provided by the Central Government.

Patil accepted the request of the Jharkhand Government to provide additional five companies of paramilitary forces for the required period, but said the Chhattisgarh Government’s request for the same would be considered by his ministry.

Patil, however, asked the two State Governments to make use of paramilitary forces for operational purposes and not for normal law and order or static guard duties.

The Central Government has already provided 13 battalions of paramilitary forces to Chattisgarh and five to Jharkhand.

Expressing concern over the slow pace of filling up of vacancies in the two states, Patil said the process required to be speeded up.

He asked the two State Governments to strengthen their intelligence wings and also ensure optimal and timely utilization of the funds granted under various central schemes. The Home Minister expressed satisfaction at some successful anti-Naxalite operations carried out recently, and emphasized the need to follow a pro-active strategy in both the States.

The review meeting on Jharkhand was attended, among others, by the DGP of the State and the meeting on Chhattisgarh, among others, by the Chief Secretary and DGP of the State. Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, DG, CRPF S. I. S. Ahmed and senior officers of the Home Ministry were also present at the meeting. (ANI)