'Army is tracking the Naxal threat' | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

'Army is tracking the Naxal threat'

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Sep 05, 2011 02:18 AM IST

State governments and the police bear the responsibility for addressing the Naxal challenge, but the army has been monitoring the threat to ensure that it does not get out of hand, a US cable recently released by WikiLeaks said, quoting army chief General VK Singh. Aloke Tikku reports.

State governments and the police bear the responsibility for addressing the Naxal challenge, but the army has been monitoring the threat to ensure that it does not get out of hand, a US cable recently released by WikiLeaks said, quoting army chief General VK Singh.

HT Image
HT Image

The cable was based on a meeting between Kolkata-based Consulate General Beth A Payne and the senior army officer in February 2010, who was set to move from the army's Eastern Command to assume charge as Chief of Army Staff.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Payne found the officer "unusually candid for a man in uniform", who spoke without a note taker. But she noted that he was unlikely to be as accessible or free to speak in his new position.

In a conversation that saw the army chief talking about their expertise in counter-insurgency operations and reintegration of people, as well as the Naxal challenge, General Singh emphasised that Naxalism was not a secessionist movement and the army was helping fight against it.

The military could, and is, working on a limited basis with the police in an advisory or training capacity, but they are not involved in active operations, the cable quoted him as saying.

The fact that the army was not involved in active operations was made clear in the cable, as evident from what General Singh said. However, the army has been training the police in all capacity to fight the Naxal threat in an indirect way.

This has been the arrangement so far.

Recall experience in India

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Aloke Tikku has covered internal security, transparency and politics for Hindustan Times. He has a keen interest in legal affairs and dabbles in data journalism.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On