The Hindu : Other States / Uttar Pradesh News : Guns `n' roses to tackle naxals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 13, 2004

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Other States - Uttar Pradesh

Guns `n' roses to tackle naxals

LUCKNOW, DEC 12. Realising that the use of police force to quell Naxal movement in the state's eastern region would only bring temporary respite, a report under consideration of the Uttar Pradesh government recommends a two-tier strategy using force and development to check the menace.

The report, prepared by state director general of police (DGP) V.K.B. Nair as an aftermath of the Naugarh ambush on November 20, in which 7 police personnel were killed, reportedly calls for the synchronisation of police action with the development process.

An earlier police drive launched last year on May 19 had laid stress on a similar approach.

During the previous initiative, 252 Naxal-affected villages in Mirzapur, Chandauli, Ballia, Mau, Sonebhadra and Ghazipur districts were selected as Ambedkar Villages.

Till now, the U.P. government had been working for the integrated development of the state. ``But the report recommends focussing on ways to solve the problems caused by the conditions of a particular area,'' said a senior police official. If approved, the new strategy would lay special emphasis on launching a drive against criminals along with initiating developmental works in the areas affected by the naxalite movement.

At the development front, link roads would be laid in various villages even as construction of brick-paved roads had already been completed in 157 villages. Efforts were on to electrify several villages in the naxalite-affected region.

State government figures showed that against the target of constructing 4753 Indira houses in 209 villages, 3848 houses had been constructed till April last. Similarly, against the target of constructing one school building each in 47 affected villages, so far buildings had been completed in 36 villages.

Meanwhile, police force in the areas would be armed with modern weapons and equipment. An order to purchase 50 wireless sets was already placed -- two each for 23 police stations -- and the government was planning to equip police stations with mortars to launch offensive action against naxalites. Dragon lights, night vision devices, bullet-proof vests and a couple of bullet-proof vehicles had also been procured.

A part of its efforts to boost the morale of security personnel, the report suggests to provide adequate potable water through hand pumps to the various police posts located in far flung areas. -- UNI

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