Anti-naxal operations: How Andhra smoked out the enemy

The police ensured that cops fighting insurgents were trained at least in the basics of combating guerrillas.

By TNN | Apr 07, 2010, 11.42 AM IST

Anti-naxal operations: How Andhra smoked out the enemy

HYDERABAD: In the mid-1990 s, Maoists overran swathes of Andhra Pradesh, held ‘‘ people’s courts’ ’ and extorted money at will from businessmen and traders. The state police bled heavily , but held its nerve and turned the tables on the Maoists in a decade-and-ahalf-long battle of wits.

Analysts say the state police have almost defeated the guerrillas and smoked them out to neighbouring states, thanks to innovation and an ability to stay a step ahead of the enemy.

A police officer said experience in dealing with the ultra-Red menace helped cops to think out of the box. The police got down to the brass tacks and ensured that cops fighting insurgents were trained at least in the basics of combating guerrillas. ‘‘ It was made compulsory for every sub-inspector recruited to train in anti-Naxal operations . IPS officers were posted in Naxal-hit districts before being made SPs.’’

The cops were backed with sophisticated weaponry , night vision equipment and improved human intelligence . Along with Greyhounds , much effort was also put in raising a specialised intelligence force.

Another senior officer said the network, with help from people, has managed to penetrate deep into the Naxal territories, thanks to a system of rewards and incentives. Many former Naxalites have been roped in to strengthen intelligence machinery.

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