Bhubaneswar, Aug. 10: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has decided to have an additional 25 battalions in the Maoist-infested areas by the end of the year.

This is to prevent large number of the rural youths from being lured into extremism.

Talking to reporters, CRPF director-general (DG) J.K. Sinha said the number of battalions would be increased from 176 to 201 during the coming one-and-half years. In this connection, the CRPF will launch a massive recruitment drive from September this year, to induct large number of jawans, from all parts of the country, wherein priority will be given to the Maoist-infested areas.

At least 40 per cent of the posts will be reserved for youths of Maoist-hit areas and the CRPF has intimated the governments of all extremist-affected states to give necessary information.

In Orissa, the para-military force plans to pick-up at least 1,282 youths in the recruitment drive and 40 per cent of them will be from the seven Maoist affected districts of Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Rayagada, Sundergarh, Mayurbhaj and Keonjhar.