Mumbai, July 13 - Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil today admitted in the Legislative Assembly that Naxal violence in the state was not coming down, despite heavy presence of security forces.

"Despite presence of police, CRPF (in Naxal-affected Gadchiroli and other areas) common people and policemen are being killed. Number of incidents of Naxal violence is not decreasing," Patil said, replying to debate on law and order situation in the state today.

He also said that Naxalism in Maharashtra, "a most challenging problem", would not end till it was not curbed in the neighbouring Chhattisgarh.

A meeting of political leaders, officials and police would be held before the end of monsoon session to formulate a strategy to deal with Naxals. "It will not be the government but a state strategy, (formulated) by taking everybody into confidence," Patil said.

The economic resources of the Naxals should be targeted and it should be ensured that the ultras did not benefit from forest produce, the Minister said. PTI