Taking a "serious note" of the killing of 17 police constables and wounding of several others by suspected naxalites in Uttar Pradesh, the Centre on Saturday said the challenge posed by armed activities of naxalites would be met firmly.
"State and Central agencies have been asked to immediately launch operation to track down the culprits and neutralise the threat posed by naxalites to internal security and law and order," a Home Ministry spokesman said.
He said "the Government has taken a serious note of the incident. The challenge posed by armed activities of naxalites in UP and other States shall be met firmly."
Home Minister Shivraj Patil also
expressed "deep shock at the outrage and loss of lives," the spokesman
said.