UP to hire pvt choppers for anti-Naxal operations

One or two choppers will be hired when required for operations and the expenses will be reimbursed by the Ministry of Home Affairs,Singh said.

Kumar said he had discussed hiring charges with various service providers based in Delhi. These companies will be invited to make formal contracts in the next few weeks.

Private companies usually provide a helicopter for Rs 3 lakh to Rs 8 lakh an hour,depending on the area of operation and the aircraft. Since the choppers are to be hired for anti-Naxalite operations,which involves risk,the companies are demanding comparatively higher rates,Kumar added.

The SP said helicopters are required because Naxalite groups stay in forests and plant improvised explosive devices under roads leading into those pockets in the thickets. Because of this,the police have to wait for the rebels to move out of their forest hideouts. The helicopters will help the cops in finding the exact location of the groups in the forests and planning operations.

The Sonbhadra police have been unable to nab the most wanted Naxalite zonal commander,Munna Vishwakarma,who carries a reward of

Rs 2 lakh from the UP police. Vishwakarma’s base is said to be in the forests of Rohtas district in Bihar. The Sonbhadra and Rohtas police conducted joint operations several times during the past four months,but failed to trace his group.