The growing incidence of Left-wing insurgency was the talking point at Thursday’s meeting of the Cabinet Committee of Security (CCS).
The growing incidence of Left-wing insurgency was the talking point at Thursday’s meeting of the Cabinet Committee of Security (CCS). As the Prime Minister was meeting his Cabinet the Maoists were attacking a police party in Gadchiroli, Maharasthra. The CCS okayed a flush-out operation for Maoists planned by the home ministry.
Immediately after news of the attack trickled in, top home ministry officials went into a huddle. “We are in constant touch with the state authorities and have assured the chief secretary of all possible help. The government’s demand for additional central paramilitary forces would be considered as and when they approach us,” a senior ministry official said. According to him, the Centre has sought a detailed report from the state government about the incident and would take action once it receives that.
The source, who is privy to CCS deliberations, clarified that the issue of permitting IAF to take action against naxalites in self-defence did not figure in the meeting. The Gadchiroli incident and the killing of Francis Induwar was discussed for two-and-a-half hours.
Besides this, the home ministry made a detailed presentation a combat operation that it plans to launch against Maoists. The CCS has reportedly okayed the plan, that is to be launched in phases over the next three to four years.
The defence ministry decided not to sound out the CCS on the IAF’s request to act in self-defence against Maoists as it is felt that a CCS nod was not needed on this issue.
“We would discuss the matter within the ministry and take a final decision. But we are certainly not for enlarging the role of the armed forces in the fight against Maoists,” defence minister AK Antony said.
The role of armed forces in fighting Maoists had been discussed during the formulation of the home ministry’s action plan. Talks focussed on the issue of using heli-gunships in combat but that was opposed by the defence ministry.
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