India to intensify counter-maoist operations, air support to be provided
Dated 30/8/2006
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Taking into consideration the seriousness of the threat posed by Maoism, the Central Government on Wednesday decided to provide air support to the seven worst Maoist-affected states to curb the menace.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Coordination Centre of Naxalism, Home Secretary Mr. V.K.Duggal said: "In principle, we have decided to give air support to the most affected states primarily not for operation purposes... it is primarily for evacuation and dropping of food".
However, Duggal added that helicopters would be given to the needy states depending on availability with the Home Ministry. In addition, the Union Home Ministry will also deploy one more battalion of forces trained in jungle warfare for Chhattisgarh.
"One battalion from Mizoram will join them within a week. The personnel of the new battalion are trained in jungle warfare," he said.
The Coordination meeting of representatives have also decided to fine tune the entire operation against Naxalism. The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretaries and the Director General of Police of the affected states and chaired by Duggal.
The meet also called for greater coordination between the different state and Centre agencies to tackle the menace of naxalism. Different security agencies and the concerned States were asked to submit a report on the ground situation.
Considering the threat posed by naxals on the railway networks, the meeting also called for coordination among Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP) and state police to strengthen security, safety and protection of trains.
It was also decided that naxalism should not be seen as a security concern alone and that the government would continue to help in the developmental works in the region. Fortification of the police station was also decided as the officials agreed that the naxalites were getting their weapons by looting police stations.
The influence of naxalism has been growing all over the country as out of the total of 12,476 police stations, naxal violence was reported from 509 police stations in 11 states last year. Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh are some of the states affected by Naxalite violence.
