ASSEMBLY POLL '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTIONS '98
ARCHIVES

BRO to build navigable roads through Naxal-hit areas

The Border Roads Organisation is actively considering to take up construction of roads in Naxalite infested areas bordering Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

The proposal before the BRO is to take up in the first phase of the work of nearly 700km-long Nizambad-Jagdalpur highway which passes mainly through the areas in both the states, where different dalams of the Naxalite outfit, Peoples War, are active.

Officials involved in anti-Naxalite operations expect that the work on this highway could start later this year and once completed, it would help speedy movement of security forces in the Naxalite-infested areas of both the states.

Lack of proper roads in most of the nine Naxalite-affected districts of Madhya Pradesh posed a major obstacle faced by the police in the anti-Naxalite operations. Besides affecting the fast movement of security forces, non-tarred roads in the region was also making the police more vulnerable to attacks as the Naxalites could easily lay land mines on such roads.

Police circles pointed out that there were instances in which the public works department and private contractors had to abandon works due to the Naxalite threat. They said the involvement of a well-equipped and professional executing agency was inevitable even for the construction of state roads in the remote areas facing Naxalite trouble.

Stressing the need for having a time bound programme for construction of roads in these sensitive areas, they said it would help the police in anti-Naxalite operations besides contributing towards the development of these tribal areas.

As many as 17 dalams, mainly of Peoples War group, were already active in Bastar, Dantewara, Kanker, Rajnandgaon, Balaghat, Kawardha, Mandla and Dondori districts while Naxalites belonging to two dreaded Naxalite outfits, Maoist Communist Centre and Party Unity, have started spreading their activities in Sarguja district bordering Bihar.

Police said so far 98 police personnel, ten government employees and 102 others were killed in Naxalite related violence, including land mine blasts. They pointed out that the police department had proposed raising a special task force trained in guerilla warfare, on the lines of Grey Hounds of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, to counter the Naxalite outfits which were armed with deadly weapons like AK 47 rifles and equipped with wireless sets and remote control devices.

Although 26 companies of special armed force have been deployed in the Naxalite areas at present, the police said more companies would be required in the near future in view of the coming season for the collection of tendu patta (bidi leaves) as Naxalite groups normally became active during this period.

However, state government sources said they were eagerly waiting for early clearance of a Rs 6.15 billion integrated action plan, submitted to the Centre in October last year, for implementing a multi-pronged strategy to counter Naxalite activities in the state.

As the Naxalite problem is being faced by six states and central assistance was badly needed for raising trained force, construction of inter-state roads and bridges and for general development of the area which was mainly inhabited by the tribals, they added.

Out of the Rs 6.15 billion action plan, nearly Rs 1 billion would be required for strengthening the police system by equipping them with vehicles, modern communication systems and weapons besides providing adequate manpower in the police stations, the sources said.

Describing Naxalism as a socio-economic and political problem, they said it has been proposed to utilise the remaining amount for various purposes, including construction of roads and bridges, improving health and educational facilities and generating employment opportunities for the local tribal population.

UNI

Tell us what you think of this report