Singh, who was speaking at the internal security meet in New Delhi Monday, also said that Leftwing extremism should be considered a national calamity.

'The time has come for a direct fight on three fronts to counter Naxalites,' said Singh.

'In view of the comprehensiveness of the Maoist problem in Chhattisgarh, the security forces should be allowed for direct action against Maoists - besides socio-economic and infrastructure development of the affected areas and also effectively countering the Maoists' international propaganda which is being used to justify the violence and their movement,' Singh told the meet.

On their part, other chief ministers gave an account of the steps they have taken in fighting the Maoist menace.

They sought increased central assistance for training their forces in counter-insurgency operations and for constructing roads of critical importance.

Chidambaram in his address exhorted all chief ministers to enhance the capability of their police forces to meet internal security challenges and said their foremost responsibility was to fill up the glaring police vacancies.

Maoist rebels hold sway in nearly 170 districts of the country in varying degrees. The country has witnessed 1,128 incidents of Maoist-related violence till June 30 that has left 455 civilians and security forces dead.