New Indian government plans to employ 'elite' forces in four key states to counter tribal peasants' growing armed struggle in central India, led by Maoists.

Jun 28, 2014 - Namrata Biji Ahuja | 

• New Delhi

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Rajnath Singh rules out talks

In a tactical shift from the (previous) UPA government’s two-pronged strategy of “police action” and “development” to counter Naxalism (Maoists), the new BJP government on Friday outlined to (federal) states a four-pronged approach of security, development, entitlement to social welfare schemes and perception management to wipe out left-wing extremism.( tribal armed struggle in the central Indian belt led by Maoists)

On the cards are new special commando forces like the elite Andhra Greyhounds to be developed in the four worst-affected states — Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Orissa — with full Central assistance. The new Naxal-affected state of Telangana has, meanwhile, sought raising of 12 battalions of India Reserve Forces in the state, while a new Greyhound hub will be based there.

Calling for a balanced approach and close coordination between Central and state forces, Union home minister Rajnath Singh ruled out talks with the Naxalites and said the forces will give a befitting reply if the rebels launch attacks.

“There is no question of any talks now. We will take a balanced approach. But the forces will give a befitting reply if the Naxals launch attacks,” Mr Singh said after chairing a high-level meeting with the chief secretaries and directors-general of police of 10 Naxalite-affected states. MHA officials said talks will not be held with the Naxals as long as they did not give up the path of violence.

Bihar and Jharkhand have emerged as two of the worst Naxal-affected states in the MHA’s assessment, while Chhattisgarh, whose Bastar region had long been regarded as the epicentre of Maoist activity, has managed to retrieve the situation somewhat and has begun tackling the Naxal menace head-on with a favourable government at the Centre, sources said.

However, irrespective of the varying political approaches to the Naxal issue in different states plagued by Naxalism like West Bengal and Orissa, the Centre and states began to arrive at a consensus that security forces will retaliate heavily if the banned outfit strikes anywhere.

Mr Singh, addressing the representatives of states, did not, however, limit the BJP government’s anti-Naxalite approach to stiff police action, instead he stressed that developing connectivity to Naxal strongholds by building roads was a critical aspect that was more important than armed operations against the rebels. Mr Singh has asked the MHA to micro-manage road construction in the Naxal belt. The home minister also pledged that funds would not be a constraint and that modernisation of state police forces would be the Centre’s priority.

The government plans to make good use of perception management among the public in this endeavour as it was felt the previous UPA government has failed to reach out to affected villages and tribals with government outreach initiatives. Sources said the MHA felt that rewards for surrendering Naxal leaders and cadres should be raised to make such schemes attractive and workable.

The home minister sought to enhance the incentives and allowances for Central security forces personnel posted in these areas, bringing them at par with those deployed in the counter-militancy grid in Jammu and Kashmir. At present, a jawan (soldier)  working in anti-Naxal operations earns Rs4,000 less than his colleague deployed in Kashmir.

Some states, including Chhattisgarh, asked for more helicopters to aid the forces involved in anti- Naxal ops. The home minister asked the state governments to post young and enterprising officers as district magistrates and superintendents of police in the Naxal-hit districts to ensure better administration. The chief secretaries and DGPs of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, 

From Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the chiefs of paramilitary forces like the CRPF and BSF and top home ministry officials attended the meeting.