Naxals force cops to go without uniforms

The Union Home Ministry has directed policemen and paramilitary forces deployed in the 76 Naxal-affected districts to ‘‘avoid’’ wearing uniform and travel in unmarked vehicles. They have also been asked to keep their movements secret and not use unmetalled roads for fear of landmines. Also, remote sensing satellites will be employed to generate images of Naxalite camps.

‘‘Deterrence attached to the uniform is lost but there are some areas where the population is accustomed to see Naxalites and not policemen. It is in these areas that we have asked policemen to refrain from wearing their uniform,’’ a senior Andhra Police official said.

These decisions, which clearly indicate that the government is struggling to meet the challenge posed by the Naxalites, were taken at the last meeting of the co-ordination committee to decide on operational strategy.

Most Naxal training camps are located in heavily forested border areas of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Chattisgarh. According to Ministry officials, as many as 48 security personnel were killed by Naxalites till January 31. The number in 2004 was 566 and 515 the year before.