Centre to now fight Naxals in UP, Assam

For the first time, anti-Naxal forces are to be deployed in Assam and Uttar Pradesh. According to senior Union home ministry officials, 65 underground members of the CPI (Maoist) were arrested in UP between 2005 and August 15 this year.

The ministry will deploy 2,200 specially trained jungle warfare commandos in UP and Assam, after deciding these two states are a new area of operation for the radicals. This decision comes even as anti-Naxal operations are in full swing in six states along the "red corridor" that comprises seven other states, too.

Security agencies have cautioned that Sonebhadra and Chandauli districts in UP are the new battle grounds, as Maoists have started attacking state police units posted in these areas. Between 2005 and end-2009, Naxalites were responsible for 49 violent incidents in these two districts and 35 of them killed in action in the same period.

"We are sending one battalion, approximately 1,150 personnel, each of Special Action Force (SAF) to Uttar Pradesh and Assam. The paramilitary forces had prepared a report on Uttar Pradesh on the spread of red terror in the state which was also sent to the home ministry," said an official.

Ministry sources said the areas in question in UP were a hub for aluminium and cement mining and industries. The district is also adjacent to Chhattisgarh and Bihar and gives free access to Naxals to make hideouts.

Sources handling the operations in UP said although the government recognised only two districts as Maoist-affected, the position on the ground is worse. Senior UP police officials revealed that around 12 districts had been identified where Naxalites were trying to form bases.

At present, the two SAF battalions, specially designed for anti-Naxal operations, are undergoing a six-week training programme in central India. These personnel were also given training by the Indian Army earlier in jungle warfare.

The case is a little different in Assam, as security experts believe the Naxals get regular supply of weapons, explosives and ammunition from northeast-based insurgent groups. There is need for specific intelligence-based action against the CPI(Maoist) to stall its spread.