Centre advises Maoists affected states to review security

In the wake of brutal execution of four policemen at Bastar in Chhattisgarh, the central government has advised all the Maoists affected states to review and strengthen the security arrangements for safeguarding the armories, jails and jawans so as to rule out recurrence of such incidents. Concerned over frequent Maoists attacks, especially in Chhattisgarh, the government is now mulling over a need based requirement of National Security Guard (NSG) in critical operations. 

The government has already approved procurement of eight Mi-17 V5 helicopters for BSF Air Wing for Anti-naxal operations, Disaster Management functions. But to intensify operations against the Maoists in the bordering areas of Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, the government has felt need based engagements of NSG officers. 

The first batch of two helicopters has already been inducted in BSF Air Wing in April this year. The central government has been providing need based deployment of Central Para Military Forces (CRPF), mine protected vehicles and Air support wherever required for effective anti-Maoists operations to affected states. India Reserve Battalions (IRB) has also been sanctioned to these states besides approval of higher funding from the union government. Sources said, rebels had killed all the four jawans by holding the “Jan Adalat” (peoples’ court), near Gudma village a day after they were abducted.