Chhapra: Union home minister Rajnath Singh was all praise for chief minister Nitish Kumar and his government for ensuring fast economic growth of Bihar, prohibition and tackling Maoists in the state, which has led to a sharp fall in incidents related with Left-wing extremism.

"Bihar has recorded the fastest economic growth under Nitish Kumar in comparison to other states. The growth rate of the state has shot up to 10.3 per cent, while the national economic growth rate is 7.3 per cent," Rajnath said.

The Union minister was speaking after inaugurating Indo-Tibet Border Police (ITBP) headquarters for the 6th battalion at Jalalpur in Saran district.

Nitish, deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, Lok Sabha members Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Janardan Singh Sigriwal and Om Prakash Yadav as well as several other leaders were present at the function.

ITBP director-general R.K. Pachnanda was also present on the occasion.

Spread over 71 acres, the headquarters has nine buildings, including residential ones and a hospital, which will also cater to emergency cases. Altogether 10 companies of the force will be stationed at Jalalpur.

The paramilitary force is expected to take part in anti-Maoist operations, lend a helping hand during disasters and instil confidence among local residents.

Showering lavish praise on the Nitish government for curbing Maoists and Left-wing violence, Rajnath said: "I don't want to talk about Naxalism in other states, but I would like to mention the situation of Naxalism in Bihar. The number of incidents has come down to less than half here since 2013. I would like to thank chief minister Nitish Kumar, his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi, the police and paramilitary forces for this," Rajnath said.

The home minister pointed out that the number of deaths in incidents of Left-wing extremism has dropped to one-third since then and "the confidence of Naxalites has been shattered." He appealed to the people, especially the poor, to be cautious over their designs to win their sympathy.