New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday said it has approved Rs7,800 crore under a road connectivity plan and a special infrastructure scheme in Left-wing extremism affected states in the 11th Five Year Plan.

“Rs7,300 crore has been provided under the road connectivity plan and Rs500 crore under the special infrastructure scheme for Left-wing extremism affected states for meeting the gaps in critical infrastructure not otherwise covered under any other existing schemes,” minister of state for home affairs Ajay Maken told the Lok Sabha.

In reply to another question, the minister said, “Maoist have sophisticated weapons including rocket launchers.”

Naxalites primarily get a substantial bulk of their weapons by looting. They also get them from illicit weapons manufacturing units. Law and order being a state subject, action in this regard is taken by the state governments concerned, which maintain close vigil and conduct intelligence-based operations against hideouts and illicit weapon manufacturing units, the minister said.

The Centre supplements efforts of the states in several ways. These include improvement of police force under the scheme for modernisation of state police forces, sharing of intelligence, facilitating inter-state coordination and assistance in development works through a range of schemes of different Central ministries, Maken added.