Bangalore: Naxalite activities have been contained in the State, according to Home Minister M.P. Prakash.

He told presspersons here on Friday that the Government was ready to hold talks with the naxalites provided they laid down their weapons and expressed readiness to participate in a meaningful dialogue. Every effort would be made rehabilitate the naxalites if they were ready to come back to the mainstream of society. Their presence in the State was limited to a few districts such as Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Raichur and Bellary unlike in Andhra Pradesh where they had spread over 16 districts. "The situation is not as grim as what is being made out to be in certain quarters. The naxalite presence in Karnataka is limited to only a few pockets," he said.

No direct dialogue so far

Mr. Prakash said that although the Government had not entered into a direct dialogue with the naxalites, it was in touch with some of their "sympathisers." The Government was fully aware of the areas where there was naxal presence and also of the leaders of such groups. It was, therefore, improper to state that the Government was unaware of the naxalite presence and was helpless in taking preventive action.

The Government had issued clear directions to the district authorities, particularly in the Malnad region, to provide basic amenities to the tribal population residing in forest areas. The Government intention was to prevent tribal people from being misguided to join the naxalite movement.

Mr. Prakash said the traffic management system in Bangalore had received a big boost with the Government approving a proposal for the implementation of various measures, including B-TRAC, an intelligent transport system under which cameras would be installed at 250 road intersections to take care of the signalling system based on traffic density. A sum of Rs. 350 crore would be spent for various traffic management measures until 2010 and, of that, Rs. 44 crore had been released for the current year. A sum of Rs 76.50 crore would be spent every year over the next four years. Approval had been given for recruitment of 4,300 police constables for Bangalore and the recruitment process had begun.

Aid for Fire Services

The Home Minister said the Centre had extended financial support to the Fire Services Department. The Karnataka Accelerated Fire and Emergency Services had been given a grant of Rs. 99 crore for the purchase of equipment.

The Government planned to open around 30 fire stations, including six in Bangalore at Nagarbhavi, Hulimavu, Whitefield, Sunkadakatte, Jakkur and Anjanapura. Ultimately each of the 175 taluks would have a fire station.

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