Centre will stay away from Chhattisgarh-CRPF tussle

NEW DELHI: With dissensions both within the Centre and states over the anti-Naxal strategy now out in the open, home ministry chose not to join issue with Chhattisgarh over the ambush deaths of 27 CRPF jawans. Its silence, however, could not disguise the cracks.

Though the encounter deaths of two Maoists, including spokesperson Azad, came as a shot in the arm for the sagging morale in North Block, the Centre will have to work hard to rebuild its partnership with Chhattisgarh after DGP Vishwa Ranjan slammed the home minister’s suggestion that the state revise its deployment.

Perhaps looking to put an end to an embarrassing exchange, the Centre kept a no comment sign on. Chhattisgarh is a crucial battlefield and the state has been keen to cooperate with the home ministry. Losing an ally would hardly help the home ministry as it looks to frame an adequate response to the Maoists.

Significantly, the success in getting Azad happened in Andhra Pradesh which has been doing well in anti-Naxal operations. This is far from the case in the thick forests of southern Chhattisgarh where Andhra Maoists have set up bases and enjoy support of the “people’s militia”.

Ranjan had not minced words when he said the state police could not teach CRPF personnel how to walk. “If CRPF is being repeatedly ambushed, are we to answer for that? What does responsibility mean? Responsibility means making available whatever facilities are possible. Responsibility means we together deploy the forces. Responsibility does not mean we will teach them how to walk,” the police chief had said.

The statement came as a shock to CRPF which has deployed over 14,000 personnel to fight Naxals in Chhattisgarh. “It is not only demoralizing for the force but also an insult to those who lost their lives in Naxal areas. No one would like to throw himself/herself before the Maoists as cannon fodder. After all, paramilitary personnel are sent only after states request the Centre for this,” said a senior CRPF official.

Officials also pointed out that Chhattisgarh should reflect why the CRPF had lost maximum personnel in the state. “We have deployment in other states as well. But, the paramilitary force has not lost so many lives in Jharkhand, West Bengal and Orissa,” said an official.