State’s size is irrelevant in eliminating naxal problem:DGP

DGP Maharashtra Police Sanjeev Dayal during interaction with The Hitavada Correspondent Dheeraj Fartode at Police Gymkhana in Nagpur city.

-Better policing can curb Naxal menace: DGP 
-Maharashtra contained naxals in 2 districts
-Community policing is a must in urban centres 
- Police Modernisation on right track 
- Need to spruce up evidence gathering mechanism 

By Dheeraj Fartode 

Refuting the common perception about small states becoming hot-bed of naxal activities, Maharashtra Director General of Police Sanjeev Dayal on Thursday claimed that problem can be tackled by effective policing, size of the state hardly matters. Many security experts have apprehended that creation of Telangana and even Vidarbha will strengthen naxal movements as small state with smaller force will not be able to control this threat to national security, but the DGP clearly ruled out such a possibility.
Speaking exclusively to The Hitavada, Dayal pointed out that naxal activities increased in Andhra Pradesh (where Telangana is proposed), erstwhile Madhya Pradesh (before Chhatisgarh was carved out as separate state) and in remote corners of Maharashtra. In Andhra Pradesh, greyhounds and special forces eliminated naxals while MP and even Chhatisgarh are trying to control this problem.
He patted Maharashtra Police for effectively containing Naxalism and restricting them in only two remote districts-Gadchiroli and Gondia- and praised the force for eliminating 23 naxals in fierce gun-battles in past seven months.

DGP Sanjeev Dayal

Dayal applauded heroic role played by C-60 Commandos and their courage, enthusiasm and devotion in tackling hard-core naxals in deep jungles of Gadchiroli. This public support from DGP is quite significant in the backdrop of alleged human rights bogey raised by pro-naxal sympathisers who have undertaken a motivated campaign to malign security forces in Gadchiroli.
Responding to criticism of his officers who are very reluctant to serve in naxal infested districts, the DGP claimed that young IPS officers and state police service officers are serving in these districts. Apart from sophisticated weapons, special training is being imparted to IPS officers and DySP level officers at Unconventional Officers Training Centre (UOTC). We are preparing all officers and instilling firm resolution among them to work in naxal infested region. Infact, this dedicated bunch of officers are shouldering responsibility of anti-naxal operations, he proudly stated.
When asked about poor conviction rate of dreaded naxals nabbed by the force after a great sacrifice, Dayal stressed the need on collecting more legally tenable evidence. Due to difficult terrain and nature of movement, there are limitations in collecting evidence against individual naxalites, but we have our successes like Vernon Gonsalves, he stated. Due to barbaric and brutal tactics adopted by naxalites, ordinary citizen is afraid to depose against them and this is our major handicap, Dayal candidly admitted.
Due to change of demographic profile, population increase, urbanisation, social tensions, policing, too, has undergone a sea change, Dayal stated while recalling his 36-years long unblemished stint with Maharashtra Police. Terrorism, Naxalism have emerged as major threat to national security and we would not lower our guards, he quipped.
The State Police force head expressed satisfaction over modernisation process undertaken pursuant to 26/11. There is qualitative and quantitative improvement in the force, due to constant support from State Government, Dayal stated. Some new units like Force One have been created to tackle such audacious attempts in future. Though, there are deficiencies, but we are better prepared, he asserted.
About Police Complaints Authority constituted by State Government following stern directives from the Supreme Court, the DGP cautiously stated that Government would implement the directives and result would be visible after some time.
Dayal once again reiterated importance of community policing and involvement of society in making policing more people-friendly and inclusive to ensure the law-breakers are nabbed in time.