CRPF to open jungle warfare training school in Karnataka

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will soon open an institute in Karnataka which will train the paramilitary force in jungle warfare to better deal with Naxals.

Besides, there are also plans to set up institutes to impart trainings related to intelligence gathering and on anti-riots measures.

"We have asked for land from Karnataka. They are offering us land near Khanapur in Belgaum. This land is coming to us soon and we will have jungle traits and counter insurgency school there," CRPF Director General K Vijay Kumar told reporters here today. CRPF has two counter insurgency and terrorism schools -- one in Silchar (Assam) and the other at Shivpuri (Madhya Pradesh).

About three lakh CRPF jawans are entrusted with anti-Naxal, counter-insurgency, anti-riots and other internal security related duties across the country.

Six training schools will come up in different parts of the country to bring in professionalism in the men on the ground. These include CRPF intelligence institute in Gurgaon (Haryana), RAF training school in Meerut (UP) and Indian institute of IED management in Pune (Maharashtra), Kumar said.

On attrition rates in the force, he said, "We have studied attrition level very carefully. It is of not much serious concern now."

According to an official data, about 164 officers (from both junior and senior levels) have left the force in the last five years.

On possible increase or decrease in forces in Naxal-hit areas, Kumar said, "It is under active consideration and discussion...Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are the priority belts."