Panaji, Sep 29 (IANS): Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on Tuesday said that despite attempts to introduce Maoism in Gujarat, left-inspired violence had not covered much ground because of "pro-active steps for all-round development of tribals in our state".

"The spread of influence of extremist elements is a matter of common concern. Gujarat has remained unaffected despite attempts to introduce Maoism in the state," Patel said in her speech at a Western Zonal Council meeting in Panaji.

States that are mostly unaffected by Maoist violence should be equipped to defeat attempts to introduce violence, she said.

"We would welcome a specific policy to put in place a mechanism to ensure that those state which are today mostly unaffected by Maoist violence can be equipped to defeat attempts to introduce violence," she said, adding that a "proactive strategy to foster development and counter extremism will surely save lives and resources in future".

The meeting was attended by top politicians and bureaucrats from western Indian states like Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra and Union territories Daman and Diu.