New Delhi, July 15 (ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has admitted that the state machinery has underestimated the Maoists and failed to curb their activities in the country.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Chidambaram said the government had failed to tackle the Maoists with the seriousness they deserve and had also failed to assess the threat posed by Left wing extremism.

Chidambaram added that the Home Ministry is preparing an action plan to tackle the grave challenge posed by the Maoists with the help of a military advisor. Chidambaram, however, declined to give details of the plan.

The Government’s neglect of Left extremism has helped the Maoists to expand their influence, Chidambaram claimed.

Chidambaram informed the house that Naxal affected states that are sharing common borders like Orissa and Chattisgarh have been asked to prepare a joint action plan, apart from their individual plan for the states to tackle the Maoists activities.

The Union Home Ministry is regularly interacting with the Chief Ministers of Naxal affected states, and a meeting of these Chief Ministers would be held in August, where a joint action plan at the centre level would be finalised, Chidambaram informed members of the Upper House. (ANI)