A need to enhance intelligence system in combating the left-wing extremism (LWE)

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: Linkages between development and spread of extremism.

Synopsis: Casualties in left-wing extremism (LWE)-affected States have not stopped. There is an urgent need to enhance the intelligence system in these areas.

Introduction

After 2008 attack on CRPF, the massive deployment of security forces was witnessed in the left-wing extremism (LWE)-affected States.

With the improvement in the law and order situation in J&K, more security personnel are deployed in the region.

The newly deployed personnel are undergoing intensive training and firing practice with the following objectives:

• • • To make them familiar with the terrain.
    • To understand the modus operandi of the Maoists.
    • To take precautionary measures.

Thus, the security forces reduced the incidents of violence in LWE- affected States. The Maoists are either on the run or surrender.

However, casualties among security forces have not stopped.

What more needs to be done?

The government must take the following measures to stop attacks on the security forces:

• Setting up and upgrading the Intelligence systems in the region.
• Inclusion of Belgian Malinois Dogs to timely detect IEDs.
• Drones are useful in accessing the difficult areas.
• Security Personnel should stay in pucca buildings instead of huts. As temporary huts are more prone to attacks and destruction due to change in weather.
• Increase in the allocation of funds- For the construction of accommodation, an amount of Rs 114 crore was demanded against a project. However, only Rs 33 crore was allotted.

Way Forward

The LWE- affected States needs their own Commandos to control the LWE regions effectively. As for now, many districts are declared free of LWE activities. Yet, for some years Central Armed Police Forces have to be stationed until State relies completely on their own Commandos Such as Greyhounds and the Jharkhand Jaguars.