New Delhi: Pointing out that tackling Maoist
violence was the job of police and paramilitary forces, the
armed forces on Tuesday said the decision to involve them in the
anti-Naxal operations will be taken by the government if the
other agencies fail deal with the menace.
"We have to see the scale of Maoist movement. If the
scale is so that police and paramilitary forces are unable to
handle it, then it will be government`s decision to involve
the Services. But, by and large, this is a job to be done by
the paramilitary and police forces," Air Chief Marshal P V
Naik said here after taking over as the Chairman, Chief of
Staffs Committee here.
He was asked if the Services would be involved in
tackling internal security problems, like the ones Maoists are
causing in several states in the country.
At the moment, the role of Services in anti-Naxal
operations has been limited to providing logistical support to
the paramilitary forces as the IAF operates its choppers for
transporting troops and equipment in the Naxal-affected areas.
It lost one of its men while ferrying ballot boxes during
the general elections last year.
‘Post of Chief of Defence Staff is a must’
Supporting the demand for
creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) for the
armed forces, Air Chief Marshal P V Naik today said the
appointment, however, could be done only after the country
decides on the best-suited CDS model for it.
"As a concept, I believe there should be a CDS. As to
what model we should adopt that best suits our country, that
we have to study," he said after taking over as Chairman,
Chiefs of Staffs Committee, here today.
The Kargil Review Committee and the subsequent Group
of Ministers report in 2001 on reforming the national security
system had stressed the need for a CDS to provide single-point
military advice to the government and manage the country`s
nuclear arsenal.
The post, which will be over the three Service chiefs,
is supposed to increase jointness or synergy among the armed
forces in inter-service doctrinal, planning, procurement and
operational issues.
Naik pointed out that there were several models of CDS
operating in different countries and said, "we don`t know
which model suits us the best. Once we decide that, I am sure
the CDS will come in."
He said his priority as the Chairman, Chiefs of Staffs
Committee would be to "maintain and increase the jointness
between the three services."
Asked about the establishment of the Aerospace Command,
the IAF Chief said, "at some stage or the other, we will
definitely have to go in for an aerospace command."
He added, the three Services need to have a proper
structure in place as India`s "space assets are increasing
very slowly."
Noting that establishment of the command could take a
little more time as the Services were still working on the
"structure and composition" of the proposed command, he said,
the IAF already had a cell at the Air Headquarters and the
Services had a joint facility in Bhopal.
PTI
