With nature’s fury snatching away means of livelihood from a large number of people, disaster-affected areas in the bordering districts of Pithoragarh and Chamoli, which are along the international border, have become vulnerable to Naxal activities.
The Reds may try to lure a several local youths into their ‘trap’ to propagate the ideology, taking advantage of the catastrophic situation. Keeping it in mind, the intelligence agencies have intensified vigil in the extremely-affected villages in the two districts and Rudraprayag district where accelerated rehabilitation is required.
If sources are to be believed, Naxals may focus on the youths of the villages whereon people lost their homes and means of livelihood. These villages might be proved fertile land for propagating the ideology. They may entice the unemployed youths into their ‘trap’, taking advantage of the situation.
A well-placed source in the police department said, “The areas located in the districts shares international borders with Nepal need special attention of the Government authorities. They should take serious and accelerated efforts to check any such development.”
The source further added, “Prevention is always better than cure. So, there should be sincere efforts in the villages whereon disaster wreaked havoc. This is the best way out to curb the Reds that always lay in wait for the events to spread its tentacles.” Sources said that after receiving input in this regard, intelligence agencies intensified vigil in catastrophe-hit bordering areas. The agencies have also sent their experts to the areas in Pithoragarh and Chamoli districts. local Intelligence units have been alerted.
A senior official, who doesn’t wish to be quoted, said, “Apart from enhancing the vigil, local police in the disaster-affected areas should be put on high alert. Simultaneously, rehabilitation work should go on a massive scale so that people may get means of livelihood.” The officer added, “It is an open secret that Maoists lay in wait for such situation since several people lose their means of livelihood. For them, such people are the soft target. They lure them into their network and utilise them for spreading the ideology in the areas, by promising them employment.”
The source said that there was immediate need to create awareness among the youths against the Maoist activities. Simultaneously, there should be serious efforts to create means of employment for the local youths.