New Delhi, Sep 6 (IANS): Stating that Maoist cadres in the country were gaining in strength, union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde warned Thursday that they were displaying the military potential to form new battalions.

"Naxalism continues to pose a significant challenge. There are indicators about increase in the number of trained and armed cadres, reorganisation of military potential for formation of new battalions," Shinde said.

They were displaying potential for "the creation of well-developed indigenous capacity for accretions to their arsenal", he added.

Shinde was delivering the inaugural address at a three-day annual meet here of police directors general and inspectors general from states and central police forces.

Noting that the confidence levels of the Maoists are exhibited in their ability to move in larger formations, hold jan adalats, obstruct thoroughfares and recover levies, the home minister said jan militia cadres are increasingly integrated into the armed forays of Naxal groups.

"On its part, the union government is committed to providing every support required by the state police forces, and that is being done in a liberal way. The approach of the central government is to deal with the Left wing extremism in a holistic manner, in the areas of security, development, good governance and public perception management," he said.

"The central government is committed to deal firmly with Left wing extremism groups indulging in crime and violence. The overall objective being to uphold the law of the land, provide security of life and property and provide a secure environment for development and economic growth," he added.

Seven states in the country are experiencing different levels of intensity of this problem. However, nearly 80 percent of Maoist violence is taking place in less than 30 districts and many of these are close to the inter-state boundaries.

Shinde also felt that the governments of Maoist stronghold states needed to improve the police-population ratio, strengthen the intelligence set up, raise special forces to deal with the guerrillas. They also needed to enhance the state police budget by making adequate provisions for equipment, weaponry, mobility, communication, training, police station buildings including housing and forensic science.

"You need to design operational strategies for optimal use of all resources. Central armed police forces, particularly the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), have developed tactics to deal with the threat posed by Naxals, particularly those that intend to operate close to inter-state boundaries. I would appeal to you to make use of this potential," he said.

The home minister said the states should also give priority to effective implementation of development schemes leading to all-round development of Maoist areas for a permanent solution to this problem.