CCS: No forces for Naxal ops
The Centre has decided not to use the armed forces in anti-Naxal operations and is now looking at involving ex-servicemen for de-mining operations and assisting state police forces in the fight against Maoists. After the defence ministry turned down the home ministry’s proposal, including the request for more IAF choppers to ferry
paramilitary personnel and assist in rescue and relief operations, the home ministry has decided to pump in money and hire choppers on lease. These would include Pawan Hans and MI-17 choppers.
The Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on Thursday decided to stick to the original line adopted by it when it first cleared the home ministry’s “anti-Naxal’’ action plan last year. The MHA action plan focused on effective co-ordination between Naxal-infested states and Central assistance to state police forces which will take a lead role in anti-Naxal operations.
Despite the rise in Naxal violence in recent months, it became clear at Thursday’s CCS meet that the home ministry will have to fend for itself. Home minister P. Chidambaram, defence minister A.K. Antony and finance minister Pranab Mukherjee met on Friday to discuss the way forward. A meeting of chief ministers of Naxal-affected states is on the cards to take stock of the developmental works and anti-Naxal operations before the CCS meets again.
During Thursday’s CCS meet, the defence ministry signalled that it was heavily tied down in Jammu and Kashmir where infiltration remains an an area of concern. Any decision to increase the role of the armed forces and IAF was also put off fearing a political backlash in Naxal-infested states where the Congress is in the role of the Opposition. “But we have to put our acts together soon or in the next five years, Maoists will become a bigger menace...Threat,” a home ministry official said on Friday.
If the armed forces are not deployed in anti-Naxal operations, then there would be no need to declare the Maoist-affected districts as “disturbed areas”, a demand made by the Army, the official said.
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