PM for dedicated anti-Naxal force

Calling it the "single biggest internal security challenge," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today suggested setting up of joint unified commands in areas hit by Naxalism and raising of dedicated anti-Naxal wings on the pattern of Greyhounds of Andhra Pradesh.

He also suggested that effective police response and development of the Naxal-affected areas be given high priority.

"It would not be exaggeration to say that the problem of Naxalism is the single biggest internal security challenge ever faced by our country," Singh said while addressing a day-long meeting of the chief ministers of six states severely hit by Naxalism. He also met the chief ministers at his residence.

Asking the states to consider joint operations and setting up of joint unified commands in badly affected areas, Singh said police action needed to be backed by a liberal surrender and rehabilitation policy for Naxalites.

The prime minister stressed the need for a pro-active approach to deal with the menace, saying there should be measures to protect policemen from undue harassment for actions taken against Naxalites. He, however, added that an effective police response does not mean "brutalisation" of the Indian state.

The meeting was attended by the chief ministers of Orissa, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, union ministers of home, tribal affairs and panchayati raj, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, the national security advisor, and several central and state officials.

Singh expressed concern over the changing militarisation of the Naxal cadre, with "superior Army-style organisation, better trained cadres, attacks on large targets through large-scale frontal assaults, better coordination and possible external links."

"We must recognise that such extremism is a threat to our democracy, our way of life," he said.

Emphasising the need to strengthen police forces, Singh said they needed to be "better trained and equipped to face an enemy who is evolving into a major force. We need to improve their weapons, buildings and vehicles. We need to invest heavily in their capabilities."

It was a cause for concern that civil administration and police were periodically absent in some of the core areas where the ultras were trying to establish "liberation zones", he said.

The prime minister remembered Charu Mazumdar, the founder of Naxal movement in West Bengal nearly four decades back, and said the late leader had once talked of a "spring thunder over India".

"Today, almost 40 years later, the Naxalite movement may have lost much of its intellectual attraction but has gained in strength and has now now spread to over 160 districts all over the country," he said.

He added there have been "qualitative changes" in the character of the movement which has now adopted new methods and tactics.

The change in character of the movement, including growing militarisation and superior Army style organisation "needs to be recognised and all responses on our side must be guided by this new reality," he said.