Central Government rules out ITBP deployment in Gadchiroli district

CRPF's good work ensures the force to continue

anti-naxal operation with Maharashtra Police

By Dheeraj Fartode

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) would continue to marshal the naxal infested Gadchiroli district. Central Government has dropped its idea of replacing the central force with another command, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Union Home Ministry reversed its decision and decided to walk with Maharashtra Government which wanted continuation of CRPF in the State. As per plan, ITBP was to take over anti-naxal operations in Gadchiroli from 2015.

The Home Department of Maharashtra Government conveyed its position on the matter, spelling out a convincing argument that it's better to continue with present arrangement. Special Inspector General (Spl IG) CRPF (Western Sector) Sanjay Kumar Kaushik when contacted by The Hitavada confirmed the development. “State Government wants continuity in counter insurgency operations hence the decision must have been  taken, he said. “We have received communication from Director General of Police, CRPF, Prakash Mishra, about continuation of our deployment in State's naxal region.”

CRPF is operating against left-wing extremism since it was first stationed in 2009 for general election duty. Around five battalions (1,050 CRPF men in each) of CRPF, including two from Nagpur Centre, are deployed in Gadchiroli district for multi security tasks. They also hold joint operations with State police and co-ordinate in intelligence matters. 

In conflict zone, multiple agencies are acting in different tasks but target is one, the naxal. Though enemy is know, the overlapping of common structure sometimes leads to confusion. Hence the policy of ‘unified force in each State’ was decided Centrally about two years back. Thus, ITBP was to replace CRPF from 2015 in Maharashtra, as same force is deployed in neighbouring Chhattisgarh. 

The CRPF battalions of Gadchiroli were to be shifted to neighbouring Chhattisgarh where Naxals are spread over vast area. However, State's Home Department expressed reservation against withdrawal of CRPF. State police officials said it required considerable time to fine tune co-ordination and with new force in ground, naxal could gain advantage. Further new men would require nearly two to three years for knowing topography of the region. This in present situation would undermine the upper hand that security forces have gained in naxal belt, atleast in State. 

The reasoned argument of State's Home Department was discussed in detail and Central Government amended its order accordingly, it is learnt. A retired state police official averred the foremost task in guerrilla warfare is mastering the art of survival in ground zero, the operation theatre. Apart from hostile terrain, dense forest and unknown topography, all these require patience and this in turn is time consuming. And now that one agency has made deep inroads and established its forte, replacing it with another force would be disadvantageous.

Deputy Inspector General (Operations), CRPF, Sanjay Lathkar, said that CRPF -- largest paramilitary force in the world --  have turned around the things and managed to establish domination over Naxals. The situation in Gadchiroli was quite different in 2009 when CRPF first took command of situation. Barring on major incident of 2012, CRPF has not encountered any major confrontation with naxals till date, indicating that it covered the ground since then.