More paramilitary forces for intensified operations against Maoists soon

NEW DELHI: Seeking to completely wipe out the Maoist menace, the Centre is planning to deploy more paramilitary forces to carry out operations in extremist strongholds of Naxal-affected states.

As part of the new strategy, being prepared by the Home Ministry to tackle the Maoists, several thousands of paramilitary personnel will be sent to the worst affected 23 districts in the country spread over central and eastern India.

These troops will be in addition to the existing 90,000 paramilitary personnel deployed in nine Naxal-hit states - Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, official sources said.

As part of the proposed strategy, the Home Ministry will reconstruct and fortify 250 police stations located in Maoist- affected zones.

These police stations will be reconstructed and strengthened with additional troops carrying sophisticated arms and ammunitions.

This is in addition to 400 police stations the Union Home Ministry is currently fortifying under a similar plan.

The central government is also planning to make 4-5 development hubs in 23 worst hit districts with modern amenities.

In these development hubs, the government is planning to construct modern medical facilities, good academic institutes, build communication infrastructure and a proper security apparatus.

The Home Ministry will also upgrade the existing jungle warfare training institutes with expanded facilities for advance training.