Notwithstanding the bloodbath in Sukma, Government has been sincere in its efforts to fight the Maoists. But there is an urgent need to upgrade technology and strategies
left-Wing Extremism (lWE) menace has continued for several years and about 180 districts in 10 States of the country have come under its influence. Our security forces have achieved successes at several places and the control of lWE was also minimised. Today, 106 districts of various States are affected by lWE violence. There was a sharp rise in the surrender of lWE cadres, even that of hardcore Naxalites. large number of terrorists too were arrested and quite a few were exterminated by our security forces. In the search operations launched by our forces, caches of arms and ammunition were also unearthed. local residents, who were against the activities of the Naxalites, also supplied actionable intelligence to our security forces which helped them in the operations against the lWE.
Analysts now claim that after 2014, lWE activities have seen a downfall, killings of our security forces have reduced while the number of encounters and elimination of Maoists has enhanced. Security forces have also launched cordon and search operations in limited areas. All these actions have reduced the influence of the Maoists. However, the recent Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district, which was one of the deadliest in seven years , is a reminder of the threat that they continue to pose. More than 300 Naxalites, equipped with deadly weapons, attacked Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) battalion and killed 25 of our men. The Maoists after collecting intelligence attacked the CRPF unit which was protecting the construction of road between Burkapal and Jagargunda.
It may be recalled that on March 11, the Maoists had killed 12 CRPF men in Sukma. In these attacks, the Naxalites killed persons of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and took their weapons and equipments. Analysts say that demonetisation has had an adverse impact on the lWE. This may very well be a reason why they have been attacking and snatching weapons of our forces. Other significant motive of their attack is also to demonstrate that they are more powerful than our security forces.
The recent attack by the lWE shook the entire nation. The Government too seems to have woken up as Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting on May 8, which was attended by representatives of all affected States. Besides reviewing key intelligence strategies, it was also decided that more emphasis must be given to the collection of actionable intelligence. It was also decided that all lWE affected districts of eight States would be linked through a network of 5,422 km under the Road Requirement Plan. The Naxalites are against any development of any area, especially of roads, education. This is the reason why they attacked the CRPF party which was safeguarding the construction of the road.
At present, the Union Government has deployed more than hundreds of CAPF personnel in lWE areas which are over and above police forces of affected States. However, the CAPF, units posted in lWE areas, should be given adequate training in jungle warfare and the Army should impart training to the CAPF personnel as they possess the requisite expertise.
lWE is dangerous for the nation as they have no faith in the Constitution and profess to overthrow the present democratic system. Maoists venerate violence and successfully inculcate romanticism in the younger generation about their ideology. They depict themselves as protectors of the poor and the deprived, although they are against the development of the region. Naxalites attack security forces, Government installations to show that they are more dominant in the region than the Government machinery which is portrayed as exploiter. They claim that they struggle against the corrupt system which is exploiting the poor, especially the tribals. But it is a fact that they have killed more than 12,000 innocent citizens, including security personnel in the last two decades. Nonetheless, public resentment is growing against the Maoists as they have realised that lWE is against development and they are killing innocent persons.
The meeting presided over by Rajnath Singh was significant. The key decisions taken will help various State Governments to chalk out a comprehensive policy. However, the Government must opt for a two-prong approach. The authority of Government must be established and for that the security forces should be strengthened and given modern weaponry, mine-protected vehicles and latest technology. In terrorist controlled areas, it is complicated to collect humint as Maoists butcher suspected informers. The CRPF, which is the main force handling lWE insurgency, is training its officers in collection of intelligence. The organisation has posted competent officers in its intelligence school and is inviting experienced officers of other intelligence organisations to deliver lectures. This is welcome as in terrorist areas, actionable intelligence plays a vital role in the success of encounters against terrorists.
Security forces, including the especially trained Commando Battalion of Resolute Action (CoBRA) Units of CRPF should launch cordon and search operations (CaSO) in lWE controlled areas, especially after procuring actionable intelligence. In the CaSO, security forces can unearth arms caches, top extremists can be eliminated if they refuse to surrender and few support agents would also be apprehended. The authority of the Government will also be established. CaSO would fatigue the Maoists and if they are tired, they would not attack security forces and after sometime the Naxalites can be convinced to surrender and lead a normal life.
The Central and State Governments must work together for the overall development of the Naxalite area. Communication is important. There should also be more roads, railway lines, mobile towers, Internet facility. Educational institutions too must be established. While the schemes launched by the Government are good but they are not implemented properly. Schemes must be monitored so that the locals get full advantages.
Naxalites extort enormous amount from companies especially mining mafias, contractors, including Government contractors, protection money and sometimes also levy taxes on the persons residing in their areas. Countries hostile towards India also support Maoists financially. The money is collected by ordinary workers and kept in safe custody of sympathisers. Security agencies should adopt stringent measures to nail down all financial support. Companies and contractors must be provided with security and severe action should be taken if found guilty of providing money to Naxalites. Illegal mining must be stopped. NGOs and organisations constituted by Naxalites must be banned as they assist Maoists in collecting funds and raising voices against security forces.
Intelligence agencies must be galvanised so that they collect intelligence about the actual source of financial assistance and the persons including banks where Maoists keep the extorted money for safe custody. Once the information is collected, legal action should be taken against the defaulters. Surrendered Maoists must be rehabilitated properly so other lWE cadres also inspire and surrender. The political leadership and NGOs, favourable to development of the region, should highlight various developmental projects undertaken by the Government and should also reveal the misdeeds of Maoists and futility of their ideology. In terrorist areas standard operating procedures must be observed in letter and spirit as little deviation may give Naxalites the opportunity to launch an attack on CAPF.
Teachers and respectable persons, educational institutions should try to indoctrinate patriotism, national and communal harmony in the tribals so that the younger generations, instead of joining lWE, joins the mainstream. lWE would not finish early as leaders of Maoists and several other influential persons have developed selfish interests but long term methodical approach can reduce the menace. The present Government is sincere and adopted quite a few measures against Naxalites and these steps and other proposed actions would certainly curb Naxalism in the country which is essential for the economic growth of the country.
(The writer is a former officer of R&AW and a security analyst on terrorism, lWE, Pakistan and other South Asian countries.)