Naxalism in India entered "last leg", says Home Minister Rajnath
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said India's "serious" challenge of Naxalism has entered its "last leg"; Maoists are resorting to coward ambushes as they are unable to undertake direct fights. Addressing top anti-Naxal operations force CRPF's troops on their 79th Raising Day, Singh said the force's operational efforts "drastically" brought down incidents of Left Wing Extremism while extremists' casualty rate has gone up. Here's more.
Naxals can't fight head on with security forces: Singh
The demoralized Naxal cadres are now unable to undertake direct fight with security forces; hence with their limited capabilities, Naxals are resorting to coward ambushes and attacks, Rajnath Singh said while addressing CRPF. He also paid tributes to the nine CRPF personnel recently killed in a Naxal ambush in Chhattisgarh's Sukma after a deadly explosive was clandestinely triggered by ultras underneath a mine-protected vehicle.
Casualties amongst security forces have decreased, says Home Minister
"Maoism has become a serious challenge...but because of the gallant and determined action of the CRPF and other forces, these incidents have come down drastically," Singh stated. "Earlier, the casualty amongst security forces personnel and civilians was higher, but now it is the reverse...the casualty rate of the Maoist cadres is higher," Singh said at CRPF officers academy's parade ground in Gurugram's Kadarpur.
Naxals are anti-poor, anti-development: Rajnath
"I can say that the LWE (Left Wing Extremism) problem in the country has entered its last leg and the people very well understand that Naxals are anti-poor, anti-tribal, and anti-development," Singh said, referring to killings of CRPF men during road construction in LWE-affected areas.
CRPF personnel didn't lose patience in deteriorating security situation
The Minister asked CRPF personnel to continue rendering their "multi-dimensional" role in various theatres like the insurgency in the Kashmir valley and the northeast as also against the LWE menace. He lauded the gallantry of the troops of the country's largest paramilitary force as he underlined that CRPF men and women didn't "lose their patience" during the deteriorating security situation in the Kashmir valley.
Home Minister praises CRPF's Chetan Cheeta
Singh praised the courage of CRPF Commandant Chetan Cheeta who was part of the anniversary parade. Cheeta took nine bullets during an operation in Kashmir valley last year and displayed rare grit and brilliance during recuperation and he also joined duty a few days back.
Singh on ensuring better facilities to security personnel
On ensuring better facilities to jawans of the CRPF and other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Rajnath Singh said infrastructure to have more residential facilities would be enhanced in the future. The Home Minister said that facilities of air courier (dedicated flights for transport of troops to forward areas) and e-ticketing of railway tickets has been started for CAPF personnel recently.
CRPF celebrates its 79th Raising Day
Singh asked CRPF to create awareness about government-run schemes amongst "peace-loving people" in troubled areas. The over 3.18-lakh-personnel-strong CRPF, raised in 1939 under the British rule, is celebrating its 79th Raising Day. The anniversary was to be celebrated on 19 March when India's first Home Minister Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel presented colors to it in 1950 but it was postponed owing to Singh's schedule.
