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

Three killed in Manipur shooting

Imphal: Two militants and one Assam Rifles personnel were killed in a shoot-out between security personnel and the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) in Tamenglong district of Manipur. Police said the exchanges of firing between the ZUF and the Assam Rifles occurred at Taodum village in Nungba sub division of Tamenglong district last night and this morning, resulting in the killing of two ZUF cadres and one Assam Rifles personnel.

According to the police, at around 6:30 pm, May 21, some cadres of ZUF in an apparent attempt to abduct one villager, identified as Chingkhudin, forced the man to drive his own vehicle to an undisclosed destination along with the ZUF cadres.

Feeling apprehensive, Chingkhudin took with him a relative of his wife, a 14 years old boy. On the way, the ZUF cadres put three more people in the vehicle. When they reached Taodum village vicinity, which lies between Nungba town and Kambiron, they saw personnel of the 13 Assam Rifles from F-Coy repairing one of their vehicles at around 8:30 pm.

Police said the security force personnel asked the incoming vehicle to stop but the ZUF cadres asked Chingkhudin to proceed. The security force personnel managed to stop them at which point Chingkhudin disclosed to the Assam Rifles personnel that he was being kidnapped by the ZUF cadres, the police added. The ZUF cadres jumped out from the vehicle and a gun-battle followed, which led to the death of one ZUF cadre, identified as one Makudin (42).

One Assam Rifles personnel identified as Takhellambam Gokil (25) and one Atuwa Oran were injured. While they were being transported to Leimakhing Military Hospital, Takhellam Gokil succumbed to his injuries.

Police said that a massive operation was conducted this morning in the Taodum village area which has been cordoned off since last night. At around 5:30 am on May 22, another gun battle broke out killing one more ZUF cadre. The deceased has been identified as one Mathuilan Haomei (30).

The Assam Rifles recovered two AK Rifles and two hand grenades from the site of the incident, the police stated. Meanwhile, the dead bodies of the two ZUF cadres and the jawan are deposited at the RIMS mortuary.

Source: http://www.morungexpress.com/regional/115901.html

CRPF to get bulletproof helmets in Shinde's final move as Home Minister

Paramilitary forces will finally have adequate bulletproof helmets as the Home Ministry, which was sitting on the proposal, has acted at last.

Before demitting office, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has given his nod to expedite the purchase.

The ministry has given its sanction to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to purchase 47,000 bulletproof helmets through a tender.

Mail Today was the first to report that the CRPF has only 800 such helmets, against the sanctioned 50,000 for a force of 2.9 lakh. The CRPF has the highest presence in Maoist-hit states, with nearly 85,000-90,000 personnel serving in the Red Zone.

Despite bullet injuries on the head being one of the most common causes of death, red tape in the ministry ensured that jawans go into combat zones without even the most basic requirements like bulletproof helmets.

"Earlier, it was decided that the ministry will purchase them and then hand it over to the forces," said a senior officer. The ministry instead sat over the proposal.

"Now we have been permitted to go for a tender and buy them on our own. It's good we don't have to depend on the ministry for something as basic as this," said the officer.

While the standard operating procedures in the Army clearly state that every soldier in insurgency-hit areas must have a bulletproof helmet, these rules did not apply to paramilitary forces due to bureaucratic lethargy.

Sources said the CRPF has been made the nodal agency for carrying out a tender and purchase helmets for all other paramilitary forces.

Bulletproof helmets are also needed by BSF, ITBP, SSB and Assam Rifles for their troops serving in combat zones.

The Ministry woke up from its slumber to fast-track the process for acquiring helmets in March after an attack in Chhattisgarh killed 15 security personnel, including 11 from the CRPF.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2628575/CRPF-bulletproof-helmets-Shindes-final-Home-Minister.html#ixzz31kP6GxEa 

CRPF jawans fight 'invisible enemy' in Maoist zone

LATEHAR/PALAMU: Jharkhand is a critical place as the fight is against an invisible enemy, feel CRPF personnel posted in the state that often sees Maoist violence.

CRPF personnel deployed in Latehar and Palamu, which fall in the Red zone in the state, say Maoists can launch an attack anytime and from any direction.

Deputy commandant (CRPF) B B Bhakta, who posted in Laat village under Maoist-dominated Burwadih block of Latehar, said guerrilla warfare is a different ballgame. "When the enemy is invisible, level of alertness should remain high all the time," he said.

After successfully tackling a Maoist attack on a poll booth in Laat on Thursday, Bhakta said the security personnel have to avoid paths through forests because of landmines.

"We keep changing our plan and briefs every now and then so that even if some information leaks the possibility of being trapped decreases," he said.

Hailing from Tripura, Radhe Shyam Das, ASI of CRPF Battalion deployed for election duty, has seen lot of violence in his home state but here he finds it better to move in groups and keep communication channels live round the clock. "I am in charge of radio services and am aware of the fact that a single minute of drop in radio service can cut off the team from each other when they are deployed in different corners of forest to secure the polling booth," he said.

SI Vikram Kumar, who was in Kashmir before coming to Jharkhand on election duty, had never been in a Maoist turf before. "Villagers are innocent here, they welcome us to their homes. This kind of warm reception by locals is unique here," he said.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/CRPF-jawans-fight-invisible-enemy-in-Maoist-zone/articleshow/33646747.cms

2 lakh force, thousands of vehicles, dozen choppers for LS polls

More than two lakh gun-toting paramilitary personnel, thousands of vehicles and nearly a dozen helicopters will be deployed across the country to ensure smooth and violence-free elections beginning 7 April.

During the nine-phased polls, spread over nearly two months, the home ministry has chalked out the deployment plan for 543 constituencies having a total electorate of 81.4 crore with the special focus on violence-hit states.

“It is a massive exercise. But we will ensure peaceful polling. We are also taking special measures for Naxal-affected states, Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast,” joint secretary in the home ministry, M.A. Ganapathy, told PTI.

The two lakh paramilitary personnel along with vehicles are being requisitioned from forces like Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Assam Rifles for deployment across the country.

Home ministry will press into service more than 100 trains to transport paramilitary forces for deployment during the elections. In this mammoth exercise, the trains will be used for the swift movement of forces from one state to another according to the election schedule and security considerations.

Railways has been requested to provide two sleeper coaches for each company (around 100 personnel) and two coaches with special trains instead of general coaches for the smooth mobilisation of troops. The hired trains will be used for long-distance transportation of forces while, for shorter distances, security personnel will travel by road.

Thousands of private vehicles will also be requisitioned to ferry the forces.

Source: Live Mint. Com 30 March, 2014

Maoist Attacks: How Many Jawan's Deaths Will be ‘TOO MANY’ for govt?

The Maoists in Chhattisgarh have added yet another number to their list of killings. This time, the toll is 16. In 2005, they had killed 55 cops in Bijapur, 76 CRPF jawans in 2010 and 30 people including senior Congress leaders of the state on 25 May, 2013. 
How many more innocent people and security personnel need to die for the government to wake up from its deep slumber and put an end to the red terror? What is the number that will finally force the government to do something about this? 
The writing on the wall had become clear on the very day when the first phase of assembly polls in Chhattisgarh had got over on 11 November, 2013, registering a record turnout of 75 percent. 

When will the government finally crack down on Maoist terror? AFP Ignoring the threats from the Maoists to boycott the polls, the voters in south Bastar – a Maoist stronghold – had come out in large numbers to exercise their right to vote for a change. It was then that the intelligence agencies had warned the state government of possible attacks by the Maoist cadre as an act of revenge, both on the security forces and the tribal villagers. 
A month before the country goes to the Lok Sabha polls, the Left-Wing Extremists again unleashed a reign of terror on 11 March – the deadliest strike Chhattisgarh has witnessed since the rebels wiped out almost the entire top Congress leadership at Darbha Ghati in May last year. The recent dastardly act again underscored the government’s failure in learning any lesson from previous attacks. The Centre’s strategy to scale up operations against the Maoists ahead of the Lok Sabha elections has faced a major setback. Post the attack, lip service is in full swing. 
The union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and the Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh have both reiterated, “Naxal movement has to be dealt with ruthlessly and we’ll do it...Our battle against the Maoists will continue”. Why do we repeatedly fail to respond to an intelligence alert? Why does the State continue to remain helpless in front of some thousand-odd rebels? What goes wrong every time, allowing the Maoists to wipe out so many young lives, leaving the government with no option but to pay tributes to the coffins of the deceased? 
There are many Naxal sympathisers, who question an encounter, but why doesn’t any activist come forward to question the government on the rampant killing of security personnel and poor tribals? “Everything is wrong in tackling the Naxal menace. From policy formulation to its implementation, nothing is right,” says former director general, Border Security Force, and member National Security Advisory Board, Prakash Singh. Immediately after the massacre of Congress leaders by the Maoists in 2013, prime minister Manmohan Singh had called for a two-pronged strategy to deal with Left Wing Extremism. 
To strengthen counter-terrorism efforts and address development issues simultaneously. But Prakash Singh adds, “Nothing is clear on the strategy front. There are differences in perception between the Centre and the Naxal-hit states.” Internal security experts believe that the need of the hour is to bring greater focus on improving the capability of state police rather than mindlessly raising the central armed police forces to combat Maoist violence. But, in a large number of cases, local police have been found to be ill-equipped to deal with insurgent operations. “Local police is the best, both for combating and gathering intelligence, but the state government needs to ensure its standard,” says Singh. As the dead don’t respond to allegations, Shinde was quick to say that there were lapses on part of the security forces while following standard operating procedures (SoP), after visiting Chhattisgarh to pay tribute to the killed security personnel. 
The security forces have even been blamed of failing to take note of the intelligence inputs from both the central and state agencies regarding the movement of Maoists in the area. If that really has been the case, then why have the state and police leaderships never been questioned, one wonders. The dead are always left with the additional burden of taking the blame for their own killings. “Rampant corruption in the state government as well as in the police administration and lack of commitment lead to failures in dealing with such grave situations in a war zone,” observes Singh. 
The state’s counter terrorism policies have been based principally on political posturing and not on objective, or considerations of strategy and response. “Though there is deployment of security forces in the Maoist hotbed, giving a sense of safety and security, the fact is that their hands are tied,” says a former top cop of Chhattisgarh on condition of anonymity. Within the police administration there is severe discontent among the field staff stationed at insurgency-hit locations, which has arisen due to apathy of senior officials. That’s the case in other insurgency-hit states as well. “After all, who cares if the jawans live or die? This is often the attitude of top officials,” laments Singh. Clearly, nobody seems to be bothered.