At a meeting of the cabinet committee on security on Thursday, both the army and the air force expressed inability to participate in such operations due to preoccupation with guarding the nation’s borders.
It’s official. The armed forces will have no direct role in anti-Maoist operations. At a meeting of the cabinet committee on security (CCS) in Delhi on Thursday, both the army and the air force expressed inability to participate in such operations due to preoccupation with guarding the nation’s borders and anti-terrorism duties in J&K and the North-East.
Left to fend for itself, the home ministry has now sought more resources to strengthen the central paramilitary forces (CPMFs) and state police. The financial implications of this were reportedly discussed at a meeting convened by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and attended by defence minister AK Antony and home minister P Chidambaram on Friday.
A senior home ministry official said the ministry of defence would only “render assistance” in training CPMFs and police. Following the refusal by the army and the air force to spare men and material such as helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, the ministry is reportedly preparing a wish list of items to be procured. The list would be put before the next CCS meeting, the official said.
To make up for the short supply of trained personnel, particularly in anti-mining, the ministry, through CPMFs, would embark on a special drive to recruit ex-servicemen.
“We may hire them on contract for three years. State police are also hiring ex-servicemen,” the home ministry official said.
On the outcome of Thursday’s CCS meeting, he said, “Whatever we need now, we will get more financial backing for it. We will have to arrange for helicopters, anti-mining equipment and other such things on our own.”
The official said while the law and order aspect of the Maoist problem would be looked at by the home ministry, developmental activities would entail involvement of many other agencies.
The official hinted at greater involvement of Maoist-affected states in the process. The states would not only have to lead anti-Maoist operations, they would also have to take steps on the development front. There were indications CCS may seek the opinion of chief ministers of such states. “The final road map for anti-Maoist operations will be drawn up after taking their views into account,” the official said.
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