Four states to have Unified Command against Naxalism

Realising the need for joint action against Naxalism, four worst-hit states today decided to set up Unified Command to deal with the scourge as the centre offered more helicopters and logistical support to overcome the grave threat.

At a meeting of chief ministers of Naxal-affected states here, prime minister Manmohan Singh emphasised that while tackling the challenge, coordination among states was essential along with the need for providing services which are "sensitive and caring" to the needs of tribal people.

The meeting also cleared the governments' proposal to fund the establishment and strengthening of 400 police stations in the affected districts at the rate of Rs two crore per police station on 80:20 basis over a period of two years.

Setting the tone for the meeting, Singh made it clear that the services rendered to tribals in terms of administration and policing have been unfriendly.

"Far too long our tribal brothers and sisters have seen the administration in the form of rapacious forest guard, a brutal policeman, a greedy patwari," he said and underlined that in the future, any development of tribal areas must ensure that locals have a stake in it.

"Each state has a different set of problems, administrative arrangements, strengths and weaknesses and therefore, there is .. a need for a state-specific approach," Singh told the meeting of five chief ministers, Jharkhand governor and West Bengal health minister.
    
Laying emphasis on inter-state coordination in terms of intelligence-sharing and other means, he said "inter-personal
issues" cannot be allowed to come in the way of strategy to
tackle Left-wing extremism.

"We must be and also appear to be united and one in our resolve and in execution of our strategies. In particular, I would emphasise the urgent necessity for the central and state
forces to work with total coordination and without any misunderstanding about each other," Singh said.

After deliberations and putting forth their demands and complaints, four worst-affected states -- Orissa, Jharkhand,
Chhattisgarh and West Bengal agreed to the Centre's proposal
for creating a Unified Command structure headed by respective
chief secretaries for better coordination among police,
paramilitary and intelligence agencies.

Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, however, felt there was no immediate need for such a command. 

The Unified Command will have a retired major general as
a member for advice and guidance in dealing with Naxalism.

"The Unified Command will be created in Chhattisgarh, Orrisa, Jharkhand and West Bengal while more helicopters will be deployed for logistical support, supplies and evacuation in
Naxal affected," home minister P Chidambaram told reporters
after the meeting.

Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal will appoint an officer of the rank of inspector general of police as IGP (anti-Naxal operations) for each state who will be coordinating the anti-Naxal operations with their counterparts in the CRPF which has already appointed officers for similar exclusive anti-Naxal duties, Chidambaram said.

Militancy-hit Jammu and Kashmir and Assam have Unified Command structure that includes Army.

The meeting approved raising of 34 new battalions of India Reserve Battalion (IRB) for dealing with extremism.

It cleared a proposals related to induction of 16,000 more special police officers (SPOs) and exclusive development schemes for the Maoist-hit states.

Currently, 13,500 SPOs are assisting the security agencies to tackling the Maoists. 

Chidambaram said the states sought a large number of helicopters to help the forces on the ground but only 20 additional helicopters will be received from the Indian Air Force, which is pulling out some of them from UN duties. 

He said the Planning Commission was considering a special development plan for the affected districts with emphasis on road connectivity, primary education, primary health care and drinking water.

The prime minister said the matters related to development would be discussed in detail in the National Development Council (NDC) meeting scheduled for July 24.

Noting that ensuring development was a special obligation bestowed by the Constitution, Singh said such areas have lagged behind the rest of the country so far and "this state of affairs needs to be changed".

He pointed out that tribals have traditionally depended upon the forests for their livelihood and "we must ensure that this link does not get disrupted without alternate means of livelihood behind made available."

Singh particularly stressed the need for properly manning all posts in areas affected by Left Wing Extremism, saying without adequate and reasonably efficient staff, it would be difficult to implement any strategy or programme for these areas.

He asked the chief ministers present to set up a group under the Chief Secretary to evaluate the vacancy position, develop an appropriate incentive package for posting in difficult areas and thereafter ensure deployment in a time-bound manner.

"Perhaps we could target filling up one third of the vacancies within the next six months," he said. 

The home minister said the states wanted more and more districts to be included in the Centre's scheme of 'focus
district' scheme which so far included 34 worst Naxal-hit
districts and satellite phones for the police forces.

The states also requested the Centre to include more districts getting into the Security Related Expenditure scheme and increase the number of Counter Intelligence Training schools.

There are 83 districts which get funds under SRE and 20 CIT schools.