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The 2nd Meeting of the Special Task Force headed by the Special Secretary (Internal Security), MHA constituted to counter the growing menace of naxalite violence was held at Raipur (Chhattisgarh) on January 10, 2005. Besides senior officials of IB, MHA and CRPF, the nodal officers for anti-Naxalite operations in the 9 States of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal attended the meeting which was hosted by the DGP, Chhatisgarh. An officer from the Joint Task Force of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka was a Special Invitee at the meeting.
During the 4 hour long deliberations, the naxal situation in the 9 States was taken stock of. In depth analysis of the emerging trends on this front in each of the 9 States was made and suitable strategy to deal with the situation on all fronts chalked out.
It was observed that during the year 2004, although there was a slight decrease in the incidents of naxalite violence when compared to the year 2003, the increase in the targetted attacks on police by naxalite groups, particularly by laying of landmines and ambushes, is an area of concern. Increasing trend of naxalite violance in the States of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra was taken note of.
Acknowledging that the problem of naxalism is not merely one of policing, measures to accelerate the pace of economic development and employment generation in the affected districts of the 9 States were deliberated upon.
It was the unanimous view that the naxal problem should be tackled in a dynamic and holistic manner. It was emphasized that concerted action was necessary to move against naxalite leaders, who were misguiding and exploiting the simple tribal population in the Bastar region, by greater coordination and sharing of tactical intelligence among the police forces.
Curbing of the funding channels including extortion and kidnappings for ransom activities of naxalites received particular attention.
The feasibility of setting up of joint Special Task Forces among the affected States to overcome the problem of State boundaries coming in the way of coordinated anti-naxalite operations shall be explored. The valuable experience of the Joint Task Force of Tamil Nadu and Karanataka Police in operations launched in the thick forest areas to neutralize the notorious criminal Veerappan was shared with the participants and useful tactical lessons drawn from it.
MHA shall step up its assistance to the States in effectively meeting this challenge posed to the internal security by naxalites by: ( i) increased deployment of Central Police Forces; (ii) arranging specialised training in guerilla/jungle warfare at facilities of Central Police Forces; (iii) and providing better technological support for improving the defensive and offensive armoury of the State Police Forces, as also its communication network, besides (iv) providing funds for security related items and accelerating the pace of socio-economic development of the naxal-affected districts .
OK/SBM
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