Deep in Maoist belt, Army to give jungle ops training
In a strategic move cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security last month, the government has decided to start Army-run Jungle Warfare Training Schools in the heart of Naxal-dominated areas to train paramilitary personnel for armed action against Maoists.
While the Army has been training paramilitary personnel at its jungle schools elsewhere in the country, this is the first time the Army will mark its presence in the Naxalite belt when it operates such centres.
Eventually, government sources say, these training schools will be turned into centres where both paramilitary and military personnel will get specialised commando training.
The significance of this is that the Army will be in the heart of the Naxal belt, which might have a “psychological impact” on the rebels operating there.
It has been decided to open these training centres at Gadchiroli in Maharashtra, Narayanpur in Chhattisgarh, Saranda in Jharkhand, and in Orissa and Madhya Pradesh.
Eventually, the plan is to extend this to all Naxal-infested states.
“It is a tactical move to push the Naxals on the defensive. The Army’s presence itself will (be) a deterrent. The Naxals will dare not attack an Army facility in their territory,” a top official said.
While a section of the government is strongly opposed to any direct Army intervention in anti-Naxal operations, some states want the Army’s presence in at least in some capacity in Naxal areas.
Post new comment