Due to a sharp division in the perceptions of the defence and home ministries, the matter was deferred to a future date, a government source said.
The contentious issue of using the armed forces for anti-Maoist operations, as has been demanded by the home ministry, remained unaddressed at a crucial meeting of the cabinet committee on security (CCS) in New Delhi on Thursday. Due to a sharp division in the perception of the defence and home ministries, the matter was deferred for discussion to a future date, government sources said.
The sources said the meeting thoroughly discussed anti-Maoist operations in the light of the home ministry’s demands. Apart from the use of the army and the air force against Maoists, the ministry has demanded more helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), among other things, to take on the left-wing insurgents.
“The issue [of whether to press the armed forced into action] has been deferred for more discussions in future CCS meetings,” the sources said.
It is learnt that the defence ministry vehemently opposed the use of armed forces saying it could have serious repercussions for the country. It also reportedly expressed inability to render the services of the army due to engagements in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-Eastern. The air force has also expressed inability to provide more helicopters for a civilian operation.
The sources said the home ministry was asked to explain why it needed more helicopters and UAVs.
The defence ministry says the army and the air force are not keen on fighting Maoists. It has even submitted a document combining inputs from the two wings of the military on the issue.
The defence and home ministries also differ on who will head the unified command for anti-Maoist operations. While the home ministry wants the chief secretary in charge, the defence ministry says it must be the chief minister of the state where operations take place.
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