Bihar to step up anti-naxal strategy

The political class’ pledge to quell the Maoist violence renewed hopes that the Nitish Kumar government would finally carry out a “mid-course correction” in its handling of the naxal challenge

The political class’ pledge to quell the Maoist violence renewed hopes that the Nitish Kumar government would finally carry out a “mid-course correction” in its handling of the naxal challenge.

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The Centre believes that Bihar had been going a little too soft on Maoists and had not adequately deployed state and central police forces to pro-actively carry out operations.

It was in the backdrop that the home ministry had ordered two CRPF battalions to move out of the state in March and put on hold its plans to induct more forces.

A government official confirmed the decision – that had since been reversed – was aimed at sending a clear message that the state police need to get cracking on the Maoists. Bihar’s violence profile – Maoist-related killings doubled in the first five months this year as compared to 2012 – seems to have convinced the Nitish government to stress on security operations.