Naxal fear delays C’garh census exercise
Fearing Maoist retaliation the Chhattisgarh government has not yet begun the census exercise in Naxal-infested Dantewada and Narayanpur districts. Also, government officials are not willing to venture into the dense areas dominated by the Maoists.
That the Maoists intend to wage a “protracted war” against the state became evident with the Chhattisgarh police laying hands on documents proclaiming insurgents’ plan to overthrow the Indian democracy and control the government by 2050 through their armed struggle.
As the Maoist attacks continue unabated across the country, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will address a meeting of chief ministers of Naxal-affected states on Wednesday. The meeting is expected to be attended by the chief ministers and other officials of Orissa, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. Jharkhand, which is under President’s Rule, will be represented by the governor. Wednesday’s meeting will also discuss appointing “military advisers” to the chief ministers of the Naxal-hit states to deal with the menace.
The advisers are expected to be of the rank of retired major generals. Meanwhile, four Dhruv helicopters acquired by the Centre have already been deployed in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and Bihar for rescue and ferrying operations. Around Rs 2.5 crores are expected to be earmarked to equip and fortify each police station in the Naxal-hit states. The meeting is also expected to discuss the setting up of a unified command in the Naxal-hit states consisting of paramilitary and police personnel deployed in anti-Naxal operations.
As the Centre struggles to combat the Maoists, the reds are reportedly continuing with their propaganda blitzkrieg to consolidate their support base among the poor tribals in Chhattisgarh. The Maoists are now showing video footage of “affluent urban lifestyle” to the poor tribals in Chhattisgarh. Home secretary G.K. Pillai has gone on record saying that the government “suspects some former soldiers” might also be helping the Maoists.
Sources said though the Maoists were delivered a huge blow following the killing of its spokesman and central committee member Azad, they are regrouping rapidly and could possibly launch another major assault close to the urban areas. On Monday night in yet another daring attack around 50 armed Maoists attacked a complex of state-owned National Mineral Development Corporation in Chhattisgarh. Officials in Chhattisgarh said that they apprehend that the Maoists could now try push more towards urban areas. “They will try target the public properties, private institutes, schools and colleges.”
The Centre will ask the states to increase police force.
Post new comment