Police on Tuesday said that Naxals are trying to expand their urban footprint in Maharashtra by roping in youngsters from poor sections in slums in big cities like Mumbai and Pune for military tasks and setting up safe havens.

Special IG, anti-naxal operations (Maharashtra) Sandip Patil told newswire PTI that Naxals are trying to direct the discontent among youngsters from low-income groups living in urban slum pockets against the government.