New Delhi: Government on Monday said it would
launch anti-Naxal operations at the time of its choosing but
will not involve the armed forces in offensive roles.
"We would wait till the elections are over and then we
will launch the operations at the time and place of our
choosing," Home Secretary G K Pillai told a private news channel.
He said the strategy of the anti-Naxal operations has
been discussed with the chief ministers of the Maoist-hit
states in January and in August.
The state police would lead the anti-Naxal operations and
paramilitary forces will be extending their "full support" to
them, Pillai said.
On the use of armed forces in the anti-Naxal operations,
he said, "I do not think there is any use of the Army in the
current operation for securing the area.
"We are of course taking the help of IAF helicopters but
they are primarily for surveillance and movement of
paramilitary forces and state police and for casualty
evacuation if required."
He said the government never intended to use Air Force in
offensive combat operations against Naxalites.
Pillai said the government has decided to take action as
"they (Naxals) are not willing to listen (to the plea to
abjure violence) and we have to restore civil administration
using state police and paramilitary forces."
Bureau Report
