Hyderabad, June 28: Faced with a recent spurt in naxalite violence even in areas considered safe in the past, Andhra Pradesh government has approved a wish list of the state police to procure hi-tech weapons and communication equipment. Special helicopters for anti-naxalite operations in deep forests, bullet-proofing of police vehicles vulnerable to landmine blasts, satellite phones and German-made sub-machine guns are among the hi-tech acquisitions on the anvil, sources in the police department said here.


Keeping in view the frequent attacks on police stations the government has identified over 1,000 police stations as `sensitive'. These police stations would now be provided with solar fencing to prevent intrusions, sources said.

The government has also approved bullet-proof jackets for commandoes engaged in field operations.

As a large number of policemen are being killed in landmine explosions set off by naxalites, police have decided to opt for German technology for providing bullet-proof coverage for vehicles used by police parties during combing operations.
The weaponry of the department would also be strengthened by acquiring sub-machine guns, MP5 pistols from Germany and light-weight bullet-proof jackets from Switzerland, the sources added.

Bureau Report