War against Maoists...Change in tactics.....

Anti-Maoist op plan redrawn
Focus Shifts From All-Out Action To Precision Strikes To Spare Tribals

Vishwa Mohan /TNN

New Delhi: In a shift from its earlier plan to go all-out against Maoists after the Jharkhand polls, the Centre on Thursday asked states to go for “precision strikes” wherever needed without affecting the daily lives of tribals living in Naxal-infested zones.
Though ongoing operations against the ultras will continue, the intensity will not be stepped up as such a move is likely to alienate the local population, besides driving them towards Maoist ideology.
“Security forces will conduct operations in such a way that the rebels can think about surrendering instead of being on the offensive to save their own lives,” said a senior home ministry official, adding the idea is “not to alienate tribals”.
A change in strategy, giving impetus to development activities in Naxal-hit areas, was discussed in a meeting of police chiefs and chief secretaries of affected states with home minister P Chidambaram and home secretary G K Pillai.
Chidambaram is learnt to have told the state representatives to concentrate on development work as lack of it not only affected the local population but also made the areas vulnerable to Naxal violence.
Though the home minister also took stock of the preparedness of security agencies to continue with their ongoing joint anti-Naxal operations at junctions and tri-junctions of affected states, he is believed to have told them to intensify such action only in areas where the Maoists continue to indulge in violence.
An official said: “Against the earlier plan to first clear the area of Maoists before launching development activities, the chief secretaries were told to chalk out civic activities plan taking security forces on board so that both operational as well as economic activities can go hand in hand.”
It is believed that the Centre made the change after getting feedback from affected states where tribals found themselves caught between the rebels and security forces during operations. It is learnt that in such a situation, the local population was driven towards the Naxals for safety.
DGPs and chief secretaries of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Orissa attended the meeting. Later, Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh met Chidambaram and discussed progress on operational and development front......http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDA5LzEyLzI1I0FyMDE3MDE=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom