Ranchi: As Jharkhand has embarked upon
anti-Naxal operation, former Director General of Police, R R
Prasad today said Maoists should be alienated from the tribal
people for its success.
"We can't ignore that they have popular support. On
being chased, they can always mingle with the locals and
survive. This aspect should be kept in mind to make the
operation successful," Prasad, who retired from service a
couple of years ago, said.
He was replying to a query whether the Maoists could
have any safe route to escape if they were chased by the
joint forces of Jharkhand and West Bengal. The joint force
operation started on Tuesday on the borders of East and West
Singhbhum districts.
"Popular support is the safe route. It is not as
mechanical as it has been made out," he said referring to the
efforts to prevent Maoists from criss-crossing the borders.
The securitymen had on Tuesday demolished a Maoist
training camp and recovered ten landmines after a gunfight in
Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district.
A huge quantity of articles used for explosive making,
wires, foodstuff, blankets were seized from the camp, police
said.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, March 11, 2010, 19:43