Investigations into the sensational kidnapping of Sukma collector Alex Paul Menon has revealed that the Naxals have put in place a formidable intelligence network not just in Chhattisgarh but even in adjoining states of Jharkhand, Orissa, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. In fact, the Naxals have floated their own “intelligence agencies” called the Peoples Secret Service (PSS) and the Military Intelligence.
In fact, the PSS was used extensively to plan the collector’s kidnapping which has been described as a “meticulously-planned” operation even by top security personnel in Chhattisgarh. Highly-placed state government sources said chief minister Raman Singh has gave a very clear directive that the Naxals intelligence apparatus should be dismantled completely when the issue came up for detailed discussion during a high-level meeting on Sunday.
It was revealed that the Naxals intelligence network was in particular very strong in the entire Bastar region.
A senior security official present at the meeting revealed that the chief minister too was surprised when informed about the intelligence mechanism developed by the Naxals. While the PSS is used primarily to gather information about district and local administration and the various development project being carried out, the Military Intelligence, as the name suggests, gathers intelligence about security forces.
Before every attack, sources added, on security personnel the Military Intelligence of the Naxals prepares an elaborate blueprint with all relevant details, complete with a map, which is given to the cadres to carry out the strike.
Security and intelligence officials present at the review meeting informed the chief minister that in this particular case also Mr Menon took abundant precautions. Like he did not use the highway but instead used an interior route to avoid detection.