Maharashtra wants 17-seater chopper for Naxal areas

Maharashtra home department is planning a 17-seater helicopter in Naxal-affected areas to strengthen the rescue operations and have medical aid ready for the policemen injured in the attacks. It is working on the proposal for the purchase of MI-17 helicopter, which generally is used by defence forces.

Home minister RR Patil said on Thursday that the helicopter used by his department in Naxal-affected area in Vidarbha had lower-seating capacity and hence not adequate for rescue operations. “It took us 20 hours to move dead bodies of the people who died in the Naxal attack a few weeks ago. Even the injured need to be taken to Nagpur, travelling 225 km, for medical treatment,” he said.

Patil also claimed that due to the development works started in Gadchiroli in last one year have helped government reduce Naxal attacks and casualties. “In 2009, 56 policemen died, while this year it has come down to 4. Deaths of citizens too have come down to 26 from 37 last year,” he said.

The department has also initiated action against the police officials who have not joined duty in Naxal areas after transfer.

Director generals of police have been asked to issue show cause notices to 14 police officials (of 124 transferred) for not joining.