E-Paper
No Army for Naxal ops, but IAF to aid security forces: Govt
The Central government today said Army will not be deployed to fight the Naxals, but Air Force will be used to provide non-combat assistance to para-military and police personnel operating in the Maoist-hit regions.
The Central government today said Army will not be deployed to fight the Naxals, but Air Force will be used to provide non-combat assistance to para-military and police personnel operating in the Maoist-hit regions.
There was no need at present to deploy Army personnel in the Maoist-hit regions, but IAF would be used to assist the troops, Union Home Secretary G K Pillai said in Raipur.
Pillai is in Chhattisgarh to review the security and development situation against the backdrop of a spurt in Naxal attacks on security forces in the state.
"The Air Force will only be engaged in air-lifting injured security personnel and will not take part in offensive against the Maoists," Pillai told reporters.
The Centre is assisting the Chhattisgarh Government in tackling the Naxal menace, he said adding, funds have been provided to procure modern equipment for the security forces.
Seven Indian Reserve Battalions (IRB) had been sanctioned for Chhattisgarh, which has requested for three more, he said. Pillai denied any rift between the state police and CRPF, saying both were coordinating and working together.
He said the government was speeding up development work in the Naxal-hit regions and the Planning Commission was preparing an integrated development plan for these areas. Pillai reviewed the situation in the state at a meeting with top officials.
