Anti-Naxal operations: Central forces wont do it alone

Raipur: Chhattisgarh Government has decided that Central forces would be accompanied by local police in their operations against Maoists, top police officials said on Wednesday.

The decision comes in the wake of killing of 75 CRPF personnel and one state policeman by Naxals in the jungles of Tadmetla in Dantewada district, they said. After this attack the strategy is being scrutinised and it might see major changes in near future, they said.

Local police and special police officers would help Central forces in their operations as they have good knowledge of Naxal-hit areas and the culture and language of those areas, the officials said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Raman Singh said that Special Police Officials (SPO) were doing a remarkable job and he was seriously considering to form an SPO battalion. He said that SPOs made this request to him during his visit to Naxal-hit areas of the state to promote "Gram Suraj Abhiyaan". It is clear that SPOs, who are mostly tribals, want to weed out Naxals, Singh said.

The Naxals besides spreading terror have also damaged the tribal culture in the state, the chief minister added.