Drones monitor Maoist movement

An unmanned aerial vehicle used by the CRPF in Bihar. Picture by Sanjay Choudhary

Patna, May 29: Two drones were pressed into service in the past couple of days to monitor Maoist movement in areas considered inaccessible for security forces in the state.

A source in the police headquarters said Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) used the drones — unmanned aerial vehicles — in anti-Maoist operations in Aurangabad, Gaya and Jamui districts. The operation was conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday in dense forests and hilly terrains, including Aurangabad’s Chanho forest area.

The ministry of home affairs has provided the drones to the state to conduct anti-Maoist operations. They were used to contain activities of the rebels in Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.

A CRPF officer said: “For the first time, drones are being used for anti-Maoist operations in Bihar. Though the CRPF have had the devices for long, they were not being used properly.”

Equipped with global positioning system (GPS), the drones relay real-time location, movement of Maoists and conversation on the ground.

CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) deputy commandant T.P. Singh said the drones made sorties in Aurangabad, Gaya and Jamui district. These districts have recorded the most number of Maoist incidents in the recent past. He revealed that the drones had been pressed into service to keep an eye on Maoists’ movements in their strongholds in the north Bihar plains and forest areas of south and central Bihar.

The Chakarbandha forests in Gaya’s Dumaria block still posed a stiff challenge for the security forces, but Singh said they would focus on the areas soon. “It is easier to carry out operations in the plains than in the hilly terrain. Chances of encounter with the Naxalites are more in the hilly terrain,” Singh added.

A senior officer associated with the anti-Maoist operations said after the induction of the drones, the security personnel have been able to pick up conversation on the ground and movement of the Maoists. “The drones flash real-time images of the movement and conversation of the Maoists and send the data immediately to the commandos. We can also get pictures of the exit routes of the rebels with the help of the drones and take action accordingly,” the officer said.

In 2013, as many as 42 civilians and 27 security personnel were killed in anti-Maoist operations. Senior officers said the drones would allow the security forces to further crack down upon Maoists.

Inspector-general (operations) Amit Kumar said at least 36 Maoist leaders, had been arrested in the state recently. Santosh Ram, an alleged Maoist involved in the murder of a police officer in 2009, was arrested from Muzaffarpur today.

He added: “We have been able to catch several Maoists evading arrest for decades. Since most of the incidents have been reported from Jamui, Aurangabad and Gaya districts, our focus is to contain the rebels’ activities in those areas first.”

The CRPF has been assigned the task to combat Naxalism in the country. Sources said 23 companies of the CRPF and two CoBRA companies have been deployed in Bihar for anti-Maoist operations.

Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140530/jsp/odisha/story_18416868.jsp#.U4fmc9yaW-c

Unprecedented security for Modi's swearing-in ceremony

In what is being labelled as an extra-ordinary security set-up, more than 6000 security personnel from Delhi Police, para-military, national security guards (NSG) and armed forces will stand guard on May 26 when PM-designate Narendra Modi will take the oath in presence of around 3000 dignitaries.

Visiting heads of government will be guarded as per their individual threat assessment with the highest security cover to be thrown around Nawaj Sharif, Hamid Karzai and Mahindra Rajpaksa.

The security establishment is leaving no stone upturned as the threat assessment for this ceremony is far more than even a summit where such dignitaries usually assemble. There were initial apprehensions among the intelligence agencies about an open-air ceremony. As invitees include foreign dignitaries and diplomats, the arrangements have been tailored to take care of all related security concerns.

Central intelligence agencies have informed Delhi Police about possible attempts by the terrorist groups to disrupt the ceremony and security agencies of respective countries are working in tandem with the Indian intelligence to provide adept security cover to the guests. The security personnel of eight visiting countries - Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Bhutan and Afghanistan - would also coordinate with Delhi Police the personal security of their dignitaries.

The security unit of Delhi Police and the prime minister's security unit have drawn out a multi-layer security plan and sources said a policeman will be deployed every twenty meters on Monday.

Roads by which the foreign dignitaries' carcade will move to the Rashtrapati Bhavan and back will be closed 10 minutes in advance. Raisina Hill will be cordoned off Vijay Path onwards. North Block and South Block offices will be shut at 1 pm and secured by Central para-military troops.

Metro stations at Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhavan, however, will not be closed to prevent crowds from building up.

The area in two-kilometer radius around Rashtrapati Bhawan will be secured from ground to air by an air defense system. Apart from para-military and special cell's commandos, mobile Quick Response Teams, anti-aircraft weapons and NSG commandos will be stationed at strategic locations. The anti-aircraft guns will also be in position at Rashtrapati Bhavan, even as the airspace above will be closed and secured by IAF. Sources say that anti-sabotage checks at RP Bhawan, five hotels in Lutyens Zone - Maurya Sheraton, Taj Mansingh, Taj Palace, Leela Palace and Oberoi have already been put in place, which will be repeated four-five times till Monday evening. Most of the guests out of 3000 invites including Head of States (HOSs) and their representatives would be staying at these hotels.

While 5 best sniffer dogs have been asked form Delhi Police, the other forces have also chipped in their best canines. The bomb disposal squads of NSG and other units have been readied with the Delhi police's squads being in reserve.

The special branch has also scanned the identity of people who have stayed in these hotels in May and identity cards of hotels staff, people used for catering, security and logistical RP Bhawan would be prepared by Delhi Police after proper verification.

The area around these hotels and the road leading from there to Rashtrapati Bhawan will be sanitized on Sunday. Enhanced security checks and extra police pickets and barricades will be enforced from Saturday night, sources said.

SWAT teams of the special cell have also been asked to be ready to combat any situation while their spotters have been deployed at secret locations which are high-rises like hotels and buildings in central Delhi.

From Gujarat Bhawan, where Narendra Modi is staying, to Rashtrapati Bhawan, special arrangements for security on the route have also been made. Modi may reach President House surrounded with a contingent of cars.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/Unprecedented-security-for-Modis-swearing-in-ceremony/articleshow/35530401.cms