C'garh cops send proposal to add 50 fortified police stations

In order to strengthen security apparatus in the Naxal-hit areas, the Chhattisgarh police have sent a proposal to set up 50 more fortified police stations (FPS) in areas affected by left wing extremism, particularly Bastar.
"The Centre has already approved to establish 75 FPS for Chhattisgarh of which construction on 40 have been completed while 35 are under-construction," Additional Director General of Police (anti-Maoist operations), RK Vij told reporters here at Police Headquarters in Naya Raipur.
"A fresh proposal has been sent to the Centre for setting up of more 50 such police station in the conflict zone," he added.

Of the earlier sanctioned FPS, 42 were for Bastar, 12 for Durg Range and 21 for Sarguja (northern Chhattisgarh).
"The FPSs are being constructed by the Chhattisgarh Police Housing Corporation in those places where other agencies denied to work. The FPSs have ensured a great relief to security forces therefore sanctions for such more police station has been sought from Centre," he added.
The Centre had in 2011 announced to fortify 400 police stations in 83 worst Maoist-hit districts in the country at a cost of Rs two crore each.

The main objective of the FPS is to plug the chances of Naxals easily storming into the police stations or carrying out a direct gunfire attack from outside.

Setting up double-storey building,high boundary walls, sophisticated control room and even watch towers are the fortification measures prescribed under the scheme.
Besides, police have also expanded its dominance in areas
like Dharampenta, Velkamguda, Kurrenar and others of south Bastar, he said.
According to the officer, security forces will continue to penetrate into Maoist bastions in 2016.
Stressing the importance of road construction in the strategically important locations in Bastar, he said, "Jagargunda (Sukma) will soon be connected to Aranpur. Similarly Konta to Golapalli in Sukma and Kistaram (Sukma) to Bhadrachalam (Telangaana) will be connected through road."
Vij also claimed that Maoists had admitted in their review meetings that they are running short of cadres either due to increasing surrenders of rebels at various ranks.

"In 2013, 39 ultras had surrendered in the state which increased to 421 and 327 in the year 2014 and 2015 respectively," he added.
Moreover, security forces have recovered bodies of 46 Naxals after separate gun-battles between ultras and security personnel while recovered 167 weapons from the possession of Naxals last year in Chhattisgarh, he said.
Although 47security personnel, including three CRPF and a BSF jawans, were martyred and 115 injured in separate Naxal incidents in 2015 in the state, the officer added.