States seek more forces, chopper support in Maoist areas

Maoist-affected states on Monday sought deployment of additional Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) battalions, and helicopter support for anti-Left Wing Extremism (LWE) operations at a review meeting called by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

An official statement said the states sought continuation of LWE specific schemes like Security Related Expenditure (SRE), Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS), Integrated Action Plan (IAP). Additional Central Assistance (ACA), Counter Insurgency and Anti-Terrorism (CIAT) Schools and Fortified Police Stations.

States also sought including new districts under these schemes.

While additional deployment of CAPF was sought, the statement said some states also sought exemption from payments for CAPF battalions provided by the Central government.

Most states requested for helicopter support for operations, and the use of modern technology by the police and the CAPF was also discussed.

Issues related to inter-State coordination, intelligence sharing, setting up of Joint Task Forces for operations along inter-State boundaries were deliberated upon.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar suggested that the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) needed to be reviewed to ensure effective choking of fund flow to LWE groups.

Measures to prevent repetition of incidents such as the massacre of paramilitary troopers at Chhattigarh's Sukma on April 24 was discussed at length with suggestions from the police chiefs of the 35 worst-affected LWE districts.

--IANS

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