The Hindu : National : Chhattisgarh seeks more Central forces

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Friday, Jan 04, 2008
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Chhattisgarh seeks more Central forces

Special Correspondent

Another 15 battalions needed for safe return of displaced people
Rise in incidents after the State’s offensive

NEW DELHI: The Chhattisgarh government has sought nine more battalions of Central forces immediately to deal with the increasing naxalite activities in the State.

State Chief Secretary Shivraj Singh and Director-General of Police Vishwa Ranjan made this demand during a meeting with Union Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar here on Thursday.

Entrusted responsibility

It was the first meeting after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had entrusted to the Cabinet Secretary the responsibility of tackling Chhattisgarh’s left-wing extremism following an emotional speech by the State Chief Minister, Raman Singh, at the Chief Ministers’ conference last month.

Mr. Raman Singh had sought additional forces, but made it clear that the war against the naxalites would be fought with or without Central help.

Long-drawn process

Talking to The Hindu, Mr. Vishwa Ranjan said the State would require 15 battalions of Central forces to check naxalite violence and an equal number to ensure the safe return of the displaced people to their villages. The process was a long-drawn one but not impossible, he said.

At present, the State had 12 battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force and one Mizo battalion.

Dantewada incident

Chhattisgarh has seen major naxalite violence in the past couple of months. Several policemen lost their lives and property worth several crores were destroyed.

The recent incidents were the infamous jail break and the killing of 12 policemen in Dantewada district. The violent incidents increased after the State government launched an offensive on the naxals. There was also an influx of left-wing extremist cadres from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and Maharashtra.

Under extremists’ control

Estimates showed that 18,000 sq. km. in Bastar, Dantewada, Narayanpur and Bijapur districts were under naxalite control, and this had to be reclaimed before any developmental work could be started there.

A well-trained force that could take on the extremists in one of the most inhospitable terrain had been the State’s demand for long.

Training camps

Some major naxalite camps were being run in the thick tropical forests of Dantewada. About 1,600 to 2,000 men from other States were being trained there in the use of the most sophisticated weapons. If not checked the menace could spread to other States.

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