The Centre outlined the need for an aggressive and a proactive strategy to counter Naxal insurgency, yesterday.

Union Minister Rajnath Singh at the day-long security review meeting in the National capital with the Chief Ministers of the Maoist affected states, called for the choking of financial resources of the left-wing extremist groups.

The meeting was held in the wake of a recent ambush on a paramilitary patrol in Bastar that left 25 dead. The setbacks like Sukma were a lesson on how extremely defensive deployment of forces could harm operational effectiveness, said Rajnath Singh.

Rajnath Singh also spelled out the mantra of the new doctrine “SAMADHAN” for use in security operations: S - Smart Leadership, A - Aggressive Strategy, M - Motivation and Training, A - Actionable Intelligence, D - Dashboard-based KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and KRAs (Key Result Areas), H - Harnessing Technology, A - Action Plan for each threat and N - No access to financing.

The Union Home Minister further stressed on the need to utilize surrendered cadres to generate intelligence and include shadow officers to track prominent Maoist leaders. The states must take ownership of anti-naxal operations with the central forces offering full support. The Chief Ministers of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh attended the meeting. Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh were represented by ministers and West Bengal and Telangana by their chief secretary and DGP. Singh called for harnessing of technology to fight Naxals.

More UAVs and mini-UAVs must be obtained to ensure there was at least one with every battalion. Also, aids like PTZ cameras, GPS tracking and satellite imagery must be employed. The forces were advised to have trackers in weapons and gear like bullet-proof jackets, biometrics in smart gun triggers and unique identification number for gelatine and other explosive materials, to prevent use of looted weapons and pilfered explosives by Maoists.

SUPRAJA