long pending worry of Jharkhand to manage the expenses incurred on running the anti-naxal operations in the State is possibly going to lessen now. The Centre besides, assuring at least three States, including Jharkhand, hit hard by the outlawed groups with adequate funds also volunteered to bear all the expenses coming on rearing elite fleets of ‘Greyhounds’.
Decision in this regard was taken in a meeting held by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh with the top brass of the 10 Naxal-affected States in Delhi on Friday. Chief Secretary Sajal Chakraverty and GDP Rajiv Kumar attended the meeting.
“The Home Minister has assured that the Central Government will fully fund formation of the special forces to deal with naxal activities. The forces would be in the lines of the elite anti- Naxal force ‘Greyhounds’ of Andhra Pradesh,” said a senior official accompanying the CS and the DGP. The Home Ministry has initially proposed the elite force with specialised skills for Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
Jharkhand has been demanding not just the specialised forces to conduct operations in some strategically important areas considered den of the hardcore Maoists but also to share burden of the cost coming in deploying central forces such as CRPF in various parts of the State.
“We are a poor State and the expenses coming on deployment of central forces prove detrimental to us. It is a good move that the State is getting elite force and that also without incurring additional financial burden,” said a top police official commenting on the decision.
After meeting Chief Secretaries and DGPs of 10 Naxal-hit states Singh also assured them that enough funds would be provided to equip and modernise their respective police forces. He also boosted their morale by asking them to present a brave face while dealing with the Maoists and give them a fitting reply when they challenge their authority.
The Minister at the same time also ruled out any possibility to enter into talks with the proscribed groups unless they shun violence. The issue would be dealt with a balanced approach only. States have also been asked to adopt a uniform and concerted approach to tackle the Maoist’s movement, especially in the red-corridor.
Nearly four-hour long meeting also stressed over ongoing developmental activities in naxal-hit areas, including road construction. Such works would be micro managed by the Home Ministry to ensure their timely completion.