Naxalism losing ground but stays a challenge: Rajnath Singh

Commissioning a new battalion of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) created from recruiting youngsters from the left wing extremism affected Bastar in Chhattisgarh, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh claimed that there is a fall to the tune of about 55 per cent in Naxal related incidents. Singh said, "Naxalism and extremism are a challenge, but I want to say that this menace is now shrinking and losing ground."

Attending the Passing Out Parade function of this newly raised battalion known as 'Bastariya Battalion' Singh also said, "Left-wing extremists do not want development to reach the underdeveloped areas, and many of the left extremist leaders have made a lot of money through illegal means and our government will ensure that this is also exposed."

For an improved scenario, the minister further said that the credit for improved internal security goes to CRPF and their co-ordination with the state police. Reminiscing the days gone by when the CRPF was con? ned only to a few pockets in the country, Singh observed that of late, this force has increased its penetration in the vast rural landmass of the country.

Underlining the immense confidence that the masses repose in CRPF, Singh said that people are assured of peace and harmony whenever the CRPF intervenes. Wishing success to the 'Bastariya' jawans, the Home Minister said that the honest youngsters of the Bastar division of Chhattisgarh do have the talent and capability to overcome challenges, whenever and wherever they arise.

He said that by being fully sensitive to the innate honesty and courage of the tribal brethren of Bastar, the government came out with the idea of raising the Bastariya Battalion from among the youth of Bastar area and to facilitate its creation, even relaxed some of the criteria of selection.

Numbered 241, this new battalion of CRPF carries the moniker 'Bastariya Battalion' for the special reason that it comprises of youths, exclusively scouted from the four highly Naxal-infested Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur and Sukma districts of Chhattisgarh.

Another remarkable feature of the battalion is its adequate female representation which is in sync with the government's policy of 33 per cent reservation for women.

Though the sanctioned strength of this innovative battalion is 743, in the first phase, a total of 534 candidates including 189 female recruits underwent specialised training spanning over 44 long weeks.

The training included guerrilla warfare, camouflage, living off the land and all the tricks of the trade that involve jungle operations. These jawans now will be deployed in Chhattisgarh to fight Naxals.

The battalion that came into existence on April 1 last year has been created to enhance local representation in CRPF's combat lay-out in the Bastar area, in addition to providing the 'Bastariya' youths a full-proof platform for employment.