Opinion Speaking to each other
Tackling Naxals requires cooperation between states,and with central paramilitaries. Here are some mechanisms
The Naxal menace has occupied centrestage in the internal security scenario after being pronounced as the gravest threat to the nation by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and corroborated by most state governments. The level of governments preparedness to check this menace is steadily improving. Recent calls for peace talks have gone unheeded until now and the mindless violence by Naxals remains unabated. Therefore,this calls for a coordinated and collective action now,may it be between central paramilitary forces (CPMFs) and state forces on one hand,or between adjoining states on the other. This could wrest control over the Naxal-dominated areas and put peace back on the road to development.
There are a host of reasons to justify coordinated police action. It is apparent that the Maoists dont have just state-equivalent geographical units. They also have bureaus,special area committees and special zonal committees which are further divided into zones and area committees,have more than one states local guerilla squads and local organisational squads within its jurisdiction,particularly in the bordering areas. Their commanders are selected on merit but can be transferred to any other area as a punishment or on promotion. When they plan for a massive attack on a security post,adjoining military units flock together,aiming to outnumber the security forces and ensure a successful operation. Similarly,looted arms-ammunitions are distributed to the deficient or newly formed units,irrespective of their location. Injured and diseased rebels go to specialised hospitals for treatment,which are generally situated out of their area of operation,in order to hide their identity. The central committee and technical wing members of the Naxals also have no state alliances. Therefore,the affected states have to congregate and make collective efforts to give the Naxalites a befitting reply.
Sharing of interrogation reports of arrested top cadres and relevant seized documents is equally important to know the Naxalites future strategies. Intelligence inputs need to be put across the concerned state agencies on a real time basis. The specialised training institute in Andhra Pradesh that has produced Greyhounds,and Counter Terrorism Jungle Warfare (CTJW) Kanker,Chhattisgarh which is imparting jungle warfare training to many states,can grow into regional training institutes to cater to the needs of affected states. The recently coined counter insurgency and anti-terrorism (CIAT) schools have been designed to improve the training capabilities of states in combating terrorism. Fighting forces can be assured of immediate relief by arial evacuation to minimise fatalities in case of emergency through a committed fleet of helicopters. Although the task force constituted by the government has borne fruit over a period of time,it can bring more synergy by enhanced coordination and sharing of information.
Recently,the Government of India has initiated a project Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS) under the National e-Governance Plan to bring
efficiency in police functions by using information and communication technologies. The State Wide Area Network (SWAN),another mission mode project to create infrastructural support,is the backbone for providing statewide connectivity to the CCTNS project. Once implemented,this will provide information-sharing on real time basis. Similarly,the Special Infrastructure Scheme which came into action only a year back,is bound to help affected states in strengthening their security related infrastructure. Besides providing troops and technology,the Centres financial assistance is also helping the states and central paramilitaries in anti-Naxal operations. A recently announced Surrender and Rehabilitation (S&R) policy of the Centre,though not very different from the existing state policies,not only contains a long-term rehabilitation clause to ensure employment to the surrendered,but also empowers the central paramilitaries with the responsibility of the S&R policy. Thus Centre-state and inter-state coordination is vital for
tackling the Naxal menace.
Support from civil society groups is also necessary. Human rights organisations and social activists while opposing dastardly acts of violence,should strive for ultimate peace and not become mere spokesperson for Naxals human rights. Trade unions,student unions,womens fronts,lawyers organisations,teachers associations etc. must be wary of the Naxals infiltration to check their growing base.
The only solution is a two-pronged strategy of development and coordinated police action. Wide swathes of areas,still ridden under Maoists control,are to be regained and pumped with ample avenues of employment for sustainable development. The civil administration needs to reassert its authority in areas neglected for quite some time. Therefore,the security forces,while pursuing this road map,should try to avoid unnecessary violence and collateral damages,and must forge ahead with synergy.
The writer is a senior police officer in Chhattisgarh
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