Anti-naxal ops: CRPF to conduct 'big sweep' offensives

The new blueprint of the paramilitary, which has deployed more than 80,000 personnel for conducting anti-naxal operations in various states, is to focus on such zones where the administrative and police machinery has not ventured in the last many years and hence they have become hotbeds and headquarters for naxalite activities and operations.

The June 28-29 encounter in the uncharted Maoist zone between Jagargunda and Basaguda in Bijapur district of Bastar occurred when the force was en-route to launch a similar offensive in Silger, a 400sq km area in this district and devoid of the presence of any government machinery.

"The force plans to undertake more of such big sweep operations. The policy of the government is to complement anti-naxal operations with development work. So, it is essential that such areas are brought into the national mainstream again," sources in the paramilitary said.

The plan, prepared under CRPF Director General K Vijay Kumar, is being implemented by the chief on operations (Inspectors General) of the force stationed in various states.

The CRPF has undertaken some of such successful operations recently which include the last year's clearing of the Saranda (900sq kms) forests in Jharkhand and Sarju-Kone (2,500sq km) in Latehar district of the state where development work has now begun. MORE