A "major" success of IB - CRPF - West Bengal Police combine on naxal front

Kishanji killing: Intelligence agencies' informers helped nail Naxal leader


Vishwa Mohan | TNN | Nov 26, 2011, 05.11AM IST


NEW DELHI: Security forces zeroed in on the location of top Maoist leader Kishanji with the help from their informants within close quarters of the operational commander in what marks a success of intelligence agencies in penetrating the close-knit extremist outfit and suggests that other top-notch extremists could also be in the crosshairs.


Senior official sources attribute the elimination of Kishanji to 'HumInt' ( human intelligence) network, painstakingly nurtured during the truce they had to observe at West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's behest.

A note circulated on Tuesday by Intelligence Bureau suggests that the inputs gathered through HumInt (human intelligence) may have helped the officials to map the co-ordinates of several members of the politburo and central committee of the CPI(Maoist). The note mentions the location of Prashanta Bose, the second-in-command of Red ultras, Pulluri Pasada Rao, Ramchandra Reddy, Malla Raji Reddy, Dev Kumar Singh, Akkiraju Hargopal and M Venugopal. Curiously, the paper did not mention the possible whereabouts of Maoist chief Ganapathi and Kishanji.

The note says that the success of counter-insurgency forces, including CRPF, has forced the Maoist leaders to raise their guard. "Efforts to apprehend these leaders have not borne fruit till now since they are changing their locations almost every other day. From their movement, it appears that they are not fully trusting their own cadres. A close watch is being kept".

Intelligence agencies started focusing on developing HumInt after the Maoists, stung by the arrests of their front-ranking leaders like Kobad Ghandy, Pramod Mishra, Naryayan Sanyal and Amitabh Bagchi, stopped using cellphones and began relying only on human couriers.

The IB note says the top Maoist leaders had completely stopped using communication through technical channels (mobile\internet) following arrest of their leaders in the past, and "reverted to depending on traditional channels of human couriers (only party cadres who are most reliable)".

The lull in hostilities, until killing of her cadres jolted Mamata Banerjee out of her belief that Maoists were merely misguided youth who could be brought back to the mainstream, was utilized by the security forces to build up a network of informants among communities who would host the rebels.

The attempt to infiltrate the ranks of Maoists and their sympathizers was helped by the resentment among cadre against the pays and perks of leaders, as well as the sexual exploitation of women extremists by their male comrades.

The note mentions of "serious disquiet among lower cadres of People Liberation Guerilla Army (PLGA) - Maoists' armed unit - against senior leadership in Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and West Bengal" - that may help in winning a few to the side of security forces in the past couple of years. It also says how sexual exploitation led many women fighters to surrender and become " informers" in exchange of cash incentives.

The Maoists had sensed this by October and retaliated by killing locals, including some Trinamool workers whom they suspected to be collaborating with security forces. " But, it was too late by then. We could get what we wanted for finally on Thursday", said the official.

Officials here said that the Maoists have suffered serious casualties in the past few years, and are having to do without eight of the 14 original members of their politburo. Besides Kishanji and Azad, who was eliminated by security forces, six politburo members, including Kobad Gandhy, Akhilesh Yadav and Pramod Mishra, are languishing in jail. The strength of the central committee of the CPI( Maoist) has also come down from 38 to 22.

They said the replacement of Kishanji and others who were killed or are in jail was likely to be made by ultras (as per Maoists' tradition) only during their next Congress which is to be held in January-February, 2012. Since all the PB\CC members had been appointed for five years in the last Congress, the outfit may not change the hierarchy except some minor changes for 'operational' reason......................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTEvMTEvMjYjQXIwMDEwNQ==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Indian home minister P Chidambaram .... an interview

Pak treats Hafiz Saeed as a state guest instead of interrogating him: Chidambaram


Vishwa Mohan | TNN | Nov 27, 2011, 12.48AM IST


On the third anniversary of 26/ 11,home minister P Chidambaram said Islamabads denial of evidence against Lashkar-e-Toiba chief and mastermind behind the Mumbai carnage Hafiz Saeed was unacceptable. In a candid assessment of Indias preparedness to combat terrorism, he also said India was not immune to an attack despite significant improvements in its security capabilities.Chidambaram spoke to TOI's Vishwa Mohan. Excerpts from the interview:

Q. Do you think India is fully prepared to counter a 26/11-type terror attack? The security apparatus has been strengthened,but can it prevent a big terror attack? Is it enough?

A. Whatever we do will never be "enough".We are making up for past neglect.Huge capacity has to be built in strengthening security forces,in their training,in their equipment,in their deployment,in employing technology,in improving their mobility and striking power.Considerable capacity has been built in the last three years but still there is some distance to go.And even as we build additional capacity,the level of threat may also go up as adversaries are also building up their capacity.All that a government can do is to constantly ramp up capacity and remain at a high level of alert.We remain at a high level of alert,but sometimes it is possible that they slip through our defences as they did in Pune,Mumbai and Delhi,which I described as regrettable blots on record.

No country is completely immune and no country is completely secure.There is a misconception that there has not been any terror attack in United States since 9/ 11completely wrong.There were three successfulterrorist attacks and three nearly successful attacks which providentially failed,otherwise hundreds would have been killed.There have been attacks in Europe,Russia,China and the Middle-East.That,of course,does not give me any sense of comfort.

Q. How do you describe the overall internal security scenario in the country?

A. Internal security challenges are not confined to terrorism alone.There are other challenges.Since today we are only talking about terrorism,I think the record of three years will speak for itself.There have been three major terror attacks.There was a significant one in Varanasi,which fortunately saw only two deaths.Any fair assessment will conclude that our capacity to detect and disrupt terrorist activities has increased.It is for the people to judge whether India is a safer country today than what it was prior to 2008.

Q. You have been pitching for the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).How will it help? How soon will it be on ground?

A. By definition,the NCTC is an organization that will devote its whole time and energy to counter terrorism.A motto world over is to detect,disrupt and defeat terror.In UK,they call it prevent,prepare etc.So,the idea is to detect,disrupt and defeat terrorists.That requires a dedicated organization.It cannot be a small part of another organization.And world over,every major country,which faces terrorist challenges,has an organization that is equivalent to the NCTC.The best known is in the US.But I know there is one in the UK and France and,I believe,there is one in Russia.The need for an NCTC is undisputed.

But there are concerns.The concern is about accumulation of power in one organization.Concerns are about misuse of powers.Concerns are about accountability.These concerns must be addressed and in my view can be addressed.We are in the process of addressing legitimate concerns.But,I think,everybody isagreed that ultimately an NCTC would have to be established in this country headed by an officer with a team of officers who will dedicate their whole time and energy to counter terrorists.I think it will happen.How soon it will happen,I cannot say,but Ill be happy if it is very soon.


Q. The government has told Parliament that Pakistani spy agencies continue to support various terrorist outfits including,LeT,JeM and Hizbul Mujahideen.There are reports saying terror infrastructure is still intact in Pakistan and infiltration continues from across the border.Under these circumstances,do you think talking to Pakistan is right?

A. What is the alternative Is not talking an alternative Is not talking going to help matters The obvious answer is no.It is much better to talk but remain vigilant.It is much better to expose them through talks but remain vigilant.If we adopt an attitude of no contacts,no interaction,no talks,how does it help us I think it will help the very forces which we think are behind terrorist attacks in India.I think the policy that the Government of India is pursuing is the correct policy.We engage them in talks and at the same time weremain vigilant.In the talks,we can expose them.

Q. Pakistan is supposed to send a judicial commission to India in connection with the 26/11 probe. Pakistan says it is ready.When is it happening? Where is the delay?

A. There is no delay in our part.We had always said that the judicial commission can be sent to India.Then,they wanted to know the name of the judge and the venue.Both of which have been communicated to them.Now,they will have to indicate the date and send the commission.


Q. Pakistani judicial commission is supposed to take statements from the magistrate,investigating officer of the case and doctors.It will then submit its report to the court.What if,the court there does not accept all this as evidence to prosecute the accused. What will be the next step then?

A. See,what they are coming here for is to gather what we call formal evidence talk to the magistrate who recorded the confession,two doctors who did the post-mortem and the investigating officer.This is notthe substantial evidence to prosecute the accused there.They must first arrest the real accused.I have pointed out to my counterpart that among the persons who have been accused in the case only two arekey players.The others are only the footsoldiers.The real culprits are still at large.They will have to be arrested.Ihave given them (Pakistan) names.The accused have to be interrogated,chargesheet has to be filed against them,and the evidence has to be presented against them.I dont think we should allow ourselves to be deluded by the argument that the evidence that theyll collect in India will convict those accused.The evidence that is collected in India is purely formal evidence.


Q. There have been anti-India rallies in Pakistan this week where Jamaat-ud-Dawa ( JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed openly gave inflammatory speeches.Pakistan continues to allow him to do that.He is roaming free as the country's interior minister Rehman Malik says there is no evidence against him. A section in Pakistan says the protestors have right to speech.


A. Free speech does not extend to threatening another country.Do we allow free speech in this country that threatens Pakistan,that threatens that militants or young men will enter Pakistan and commit acts of violence Aseparate dossier has been given to them on Hafiz Saeed with a CD containing his speeches.The United States has named JuD as a terrorist organization and asked Pakistan to name it as a terrorist organization.I think it is completely unacceptable for Pakistan to say they have no evidence against Hafiz Saeed.Hafiz Saeed must be investigated.He must be interrogated.But,if you treat him as a state guest for a while and then let him go and do whatever he does and say whatever he says,it only brings into the question the credibility of the Pakistan government.


Q. What is your take on reports that the 26/11 terror attack case accused Zaki-ur-Rehman-Lakhvi and others are freely using mobile phones in jail there?

A. I am inclined to believe it (the reports ) because I know that jail security all over the world is extremely porous and very poor.Even in Indian jails,hardened criminals have access to mobile phones.I am inclined to believe that Lakhvi and others had access to mobile telephones in Pakistani jails.


Q. What about the promise of Pakistan to give voice samples of the 26/11 terror attack case accused to India?You had raised the issue when you were in Pakistan in June last year.What happened to that promise made by your counterpart Rehman Malik?

A. They havent (given voice samples).We have several times asked for it through our high commissioner,through home secretary level talks we have asked for the voice samples.We have given names of persons that they should arrest,who we think are the key persons.But they have not arrested them.They have not given us their voice samples.I have raised it with the Pakistan high commissioner who called on me about three weeks ago.I asked him what happened to the offer of voice samples,what happened to my request that the six or seven persons should be arrested.He had no answer.


Q. What about investigation of the September Delhi High Court blast case? Is it in right direction?

A. Yes it is.Two out of the three persons arrested have confessed and the third has made a statement to the police.Senior officers who are supervising the investigation are satisfied with the investigation.They say investigations are progressing in the right direction.They have also identified three other persons,madepublic their names and likely photographs.They are trying to apprehend those three persons.I am keeping my fingers crossed.It is only when those three persons are apprehended and interrogated,we would be in a position to say if the case has been solved or not.But the supervisors who are supervising the investigation,after review,assured me that it is going in the right direction.


Q. What about the July Mumbai terror attack case probe? Will it be transferred to the NIA for investigation?

A. There is no decision on this yet,because the Mumbai investigators have assured me that they are on the right lines.I spoke to the chief minister even today.I requested him to review the investigation.Theyare on the right lines.I dont think at this stage we should take over the investigation.But these are cases where we have to remain patient.It is easy to detect a known module which may have committed an act of terror but it is very difficult to detect acompletely new module.


Q. There has been a proposal for withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from certain areas in Jammu and Kashmir. How soon it can happen?

A. Its difficult to say.There are three levels at which we are looking at the problem.One is de-notifying certain areas which had been notified as disturbed areas.The next is amending the AFSPA and the third is replacing the AFSPA with a more humane law as promised by the Prime Minister.At this moment,we are talking about level one which I think is the lowest level.The matter is before the cabinet committee on security.Ultimately,it is the CCS which will take the decision............................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTEvMTEvMjcjQXIwMDgwMA==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Brief on Front Page:

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TOI Pune:


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TOI Chennai:

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Maoists ..... first Azad and now Kishanji ...... where is Ganapathi, the Boss?

Kishanji killed: Maoist-hit states on alert to preempt retaliatory strikes

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 25, 2011, 01.33AM IST 

NEW DELHI: Killing of naxal leader M Koteshwar Rao alias Kishanji on Thursday can be touted as a major success for security forces. He was not only third in the CPI (Maoist) hierarchy and the main 'operational' commander, but he was also eliminated right inside his 'den' that was considered virtually 'impregnable'.

The success will give a new 'high' to security forces, which have on the lookout for him for long. Only two naxal leaders - M Laxmana Rao alias Ganapathi and Prashant Bose - were senior to him in the CPI (Maoist) politburo, the ultras' top decision-making body.

Kishanji's killing is a third major success for anti-naxal security forces over the past two years. They had first caught Kobad Ghandy in Delhi in September, 2009, and 10 months later killed Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad in July, 2010. Both Ghandy and Azad were politburo members.

Immediately after getting information of his death, who was carrying a Rs 19-lakh police 'reward' on his head, the Centre on Thursday evening asked all Maoist-affected states to remain on alert apprehending 'retaliation' from Red Ultras. Security forces in neighbouring Jharkhand have specifically been asked to be on their toes.

The key Maoist 'operational' commander, who had given security forces slip on several occasions in the past, including once last year despite being injured, was not an 'easy' target. He was always surrounded by four layers of armed-cadre, comprising nearly 500 to 1,000 naxalites deep inside jungle.

The otherwise 'vocal' Maoist leader, who used to contact media and issue warnings to security forces every now and then, had escaped during a gun-battle in West Bengal in March last year and remained silent for a few months, giving rise to speculation that he was killed in the encounter. However, he surfaced soon after and was engaged in strengthening the armed cadre base in Bengal and certain north-eastern states, including Assam.

In the backdrop of speculation about Kishanji's death on earlier occasions, Union home secretary R K Singh on Thursday treaded cautiously. "Most likely it is Kishanji. The officers on the spot said that it is Kishenji and most likely... 99% it is Kishanji," Singh said, adding the home ministry has sent the latest photographs of the Maoist leader for comparison and final confirmation.

"We have said that we have to be certain before we declare (officially). We have sent the latest photographs of Kishenji for comparison," he said, stating that killing of Kishanji was a "huge set back for the naxals as he was number three in the hierarchy of the CPI(Maoists)".

Singh said West Bengal and Central forces were following the Maoist leader for quite some time after getting information about him and Thursday's encounter was the result of that effort. The joint operations against the Maoists would continue in West Bengal and other Naxal-affected states, he added.

With killing of these top ultras, including Kishanji and Azad, and arrest of others like Ghandy, Pramod Mishra, Akhilesh Yadav and Mishir Besra, the strength of the original CPI (Maoist) politburo has now been reduced from 14 to six in the past five years.

The existing politburo, headed by Ganapathi, was formed in 2004 when two main naxal outfits - People's War Group (PWG) and Maoist Coordination Centre (MCC) - merged to set up an umbrella body CPI (Maoist). Kishanji was one of the key architects of the merger.

Supply to Maoists ..... Terrorists ..... and local goons ...... is not possible without a deep-rooted nexus

15kg of RDX seized in 8 months

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 24, 2011, 06.03AM IST 

NEW DELHI: Seizure of five kilograms of RDX at Ambala in Haryana in October had caught 'eye-balls' as the consignment was meant for terror attacks in Delhi, but it was only one-third of the total recovery of such a high intensity explosive made by security agencies in the country in nearly past eight months.

Government on Wednesday said that the security agencies had recovered 15kg of RDX from various parts of the country during the period, and the possibility of its use by terrorists could not be ruled out.

Besides, security agencies have also recovered 10,500kg of Ammonium Nitrate, 7, 533 gelatine sticks, 2.5 kilograms of gun powder, 563kg of nitrate mixture, 6250 metres of detonating fuse, 20250 metres of safety fuse and 23,540 of detonators. All these materials are used for making IEDs.

There have been number of instances where terrorists used ammonium nitrate to make bombs like serial blasts carried out by Indian Mujahideen in, Lucknow, Faizabad, Varanasi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Delhi during 2007-08. Naxalites too used ammonium nitrate and Gelatine sticks for landmines as potent as even to tear apart Mine Protected Vehicles in Red Zone.

The data of these recoveries, made during 2011-12 (till date), was shared by the minister of state for home affairs Mullappally Ramachandran in his written reply to a Parliament question in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

He said: "While, in specific cases, conclusive chain of evidence linking the explosives used by naxalites and terrorists to explosives pilfered from various establishments of the country has not been established, the possibility thereof cannot be ruled out".

Investigation of many terrorist cases had revealed in the past that the RDX was specifically used by terror outfits and explosive was procured from across borders. Since RDX is only produced by state agencies, the security and intelligence agencies have never ruled out role of Pakistani spy agency ISI in smuggling the explosives to India through groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and some Khalistani outfits.

Ammonium Nitrate, Gelatine sticks, detonators and other items were, however, been locally procured both by terrorists and naxalites. Roles of various mining companies\contractors and local distributors\dealers had been probed for such pilferage in the past.

Indo-Bangladesh ...... wish this 'friendship' lasts beyond Hasina

Indo-Bangla extradition treaty soon

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 22, 2011, 03.03AM IST

NEW DELHI: India and Bangladesh on Monday agreed to finalize the much-awaited extradition treaty "at an early date". India also promised to leave "no stone unturned" to track down, apprehend and hand over killers of the father of the nation of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and sought "additional information" from Dhaka.

Draft of the extradition treaty was exchanged during the home secretary-level talks which ended on Monday with both the sides reiterating their commitment to further strengthen security cooperation and reaffirming "not to allow the territory of either country to be used for any activity inimical to each other's interest".

"The draft (extradition treaty) has been shared and we are going through it. We are scrutinizing it," home secretary R K Singh said at a joint press meet with his Bangladeshi counterpart Monzur Hossain. Asked about Dhaka's position on the issue, Hossain said, "The pact will be signed at the earliest. That is our position with utmost sincerity."

The treaty, which has been under consideration for long, will pave the way for handing over each other's fugitives including ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia. It will also act as a deterrent for criminals/insurgents in India and Bangladesh to cross over after committing crimes. During the talks that began on Saturday, Bangladesh sought India's assistance to track the killers, including Riasaldar Mosleuddin, of Mujibur Rahman.

Hossain said, "We expect that India will do the needful. We are hopeful when more information is available their law enforcement agencies will be able to hand over the culprits. We appreciate India's efforts.".........http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMS8xMS8yMiNBcjAwNjAy&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Nagas......Centre will not displease three states to please one insurgent outfit

No move to grant 'supra state body' status to Nagas: Government

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 20, 2011, 02.21AM IST

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Saturday informed Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh that there was no move to grant a 'supra state body' status to Nagas settled across the north-east and the negotiators, who have been talking to the NSCN (I-M), had never promised the outfit any such arrangement that may have severe inter-state ramifications.

The 'clarification' comes in response to the objection from all the three states that sought the Union home ministry's views over certain reports on the purported 'move'.

The reports have mentioned that the Centre was considering keeping the Naga-inhabited areas of Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh under a 'supra state body' to enable the Nagas to preserve their culture, identity and customary laws under an umbrella entity, and it would be finalized before Christmas (December 25).

Referring to the 'clarification' made to the states over such reports, sources in the home ministry said the government had nothing to do with the 'move', which was a NSCN (I-M) proposal. The Centre had never agreed to any such proposal, and the outfit badgered the negotiators with it during both 'formal' and 'informal' discussions, they added.

'Greater Nagaland' has been a long-pending demand of NSCN (I-M), who under their leaders Isak Swu and T Muivah have been demanding control over all Naga-inhabited areas in neighbouring Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, ever since they joined talks with the government after signing a 'ceasefire' agreement in 1997.

Sources here said it appeared that people having some vested interests might have involved in some 'misinformation' campaign to test the ground, taking a cue from the NSCN (IM) 'internal' papers - comprising its own proposals and demands - at a time when the Centre was opposed to the demand of 'Greater Nagaland' or any kind of 'pan-Naga supra state body' at the cost of neighbouring states.

They said as part of any peace deal with Nagas, the government would, at best, provide maximum autonomy to Nagaland under existing provisions of the Constitution that may lead to giving them additional financial and legislative powers.............http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMS8xMS8yMCNBcjAwODAx&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Red Terror .... Border Road Organisation (BRO)-type force for states

Govt to put 7,000 more jawan in Naxal areas

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Nov 18, 2011, 03.38AM IST

NEW DELHI: As Maoist threat has put on hold several development works in Naxal-infested areas across the country, the Centre has sanctioned seven Battalions - over 7,000 personnel - of 'specialized' force, who will execute basic infrastructure projects, including construction of roads, under their protection in the Red Zone. States will soon start the process of raising the 'force'.

The new force - called Specialized India Reserve Battalions (SIRBs) - will have two components\units. While one unit will have engineers and technical staff, another will consist of security personnel.

Out of seven SIRBs, two have been sanctioned for Chhattisgarh - the worst Maoist-hit state - while, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Maharashtra will raise one Battalion each over the next three months. The states will try to recruit as many locals\tribals as possible for raising the new force, mainly in security wing.

"Fund has also been released for this purpose for these five states. Home ministry will sanction three more Battalions of specialized force for the states in due course," said a senior official, adding the Cabinet Committee on Security had in July approved the proposal to raise 10 SIRBs.

The need for such a force was felt for long as the Maoists had been frustrating government's attempt to create basic infrastructure in Red Zone by repeatedly targeting development works and economic installations.

The new specialized force would be different from existing 37 IRBs (37,000 personnel) in Naxal-affected states. Unlike IRBs that only comprise security personnel, the SIRBs will have engineers and technicians in one unit of the Battalions. They will be responsible for laying basic infrastructure projects with the help of security being provided by the other unit.

The security unit of the new force will accompany its technical\engineering staff, wherever they will be engaged in development works. The newly-raised Battalions will also provide security to local contractors for executing their works.

Home ministry statistics shows that the Maoists had attacked 1,241 'economic targets' - including 465 roads - between 2007 and 2011, damaging railway property, telephone exchanges\towers, electricity transmission lines, power plants, roads and mines across nine states.

Besides, the ultras of the banned CPI (Maoist) had also targeted 188 railway property, including stations, crossings and tracks; equal number of school buildings; 187 telephone exchanges\towers; 69 panchayat bhawans; 45 electricity transmission lines; 30 mines; nine power plants and 60 other 'economic targets' like solar plates, cement plant and other manufacturing\industrial production units over the past four years.....http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMS8xMS8xOCNBcjAwODAy&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Maoists menace ... Chhattisgarh holds back pro-active approach on security front ... treads cautiously after facing huge police\paramilitary casualty last year

Chhattisgarh lags behind in curbing Maoist menace

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 17, 2011, 02.13AM IST 

NEW DELHI: The Centre's ongoing review of governance issues in Maoist-infested areas has noticed major 'drift' in Chhattisgarh's security efforts, making the state lag behind all other naxal-affected states in containing Red menace despite its relatively better performance on 'development' front.

The Union home ministry has found that Chhattisgarh lacked policing and attendant security measures, including judicious use of central paramilitary forces, on the ground this year as compared to 2010, leaving the state vulnerable to Maoist attack.

"Even the ultras' attack in Dantewada on Wednesday that saw two CISF personnel killed and others injured was the result of the slackness shown by the state. Instead of keeping the area under its command after dominating it last year, the police left it wide open and moved far off to safer places giving an opportunity to Maoists to strike," said a senior official.

Officials pointed out that the poor coordination on the ground and lack of vision in police leadership were hampering anti-naxal operations in almost all Maoist-affected districts in the state.

The current approach of state police is attributed, in certain quarters, to the huge casualty that the security forces suffered last year due to their pro-active measures. Chhattisgarh had reported killing of 172 security personnel, including over 70 CRPF personnel in a single incident, in 2010. No other state had seen such a huge casualty of security personnel in recent past.

"It seems the state does not want to risk lives of security personnel during anti-naxal operation. As a result, the operations are going on at a snail's pace despite the presence of over 25,000 central paramilitary personnel in the state," said an official.

Eleven out of the 16 districts in Chhattisgarh are hit by Red ultras, while five of them affected severely. Over 120 people, including 52 security personnel, were killed by Maoists in the state this year till Wednesday. Other naxal-affected states have not seen such high casualty.

Maoist violence occurred in Chhattisgarh, despite the state taking up the highest number of basic development projects under the government's ambitious Integrated Action Plan (IAP), underscoring Red menace cannot be tackled by development activities alone.

"Result shows that unless states take effective security measures, Maoists cannot be defeated," said the official.

State-wise reports on works taken up under the IAP shows that Chhattisgarh has taken up maximum development works (14,199 ) under the scheme, followed by Orissa (13,517), Jharkhand (11,158), Bihar (9,343), Madhya Pradesh (4,597), Maharashtra (4,360), Uttar Pradesh (1, 548), West Bengal (1, 155) and Andhra Pradesh (1, 084) this year till Wednesday.

Last November, the Centre had cleared the IAP, with an aim of giving a fillip to development schemes in 60 most naxal-affected districts across nine states. It is being implemented in 15 districts in Odisha, Jharkhand (14), Chhattisgarh (10), Madhya Pradesh (8), Bihar (7), two each in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh and one each in West Bengal and UP.

Indo-Pak home secretary-level talk: ... Will both the countries move forward?

Pak judicial panel’s visit will set tone for talks
Home Ministry Already Asked To Prepare For The Two-Day Dialogue To Be Held In Islamabad

Vishwa Mohan | TNN

New Delhi: Even as Pakistan has done nothing ‘concrete’ to bring perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks to justice, its latest move to send a judicial commission to India in connection with the probe and its outcome will set the ‘tone’ for the proposed home secretary-level talks between the two countries in December.

    Home ministry officials have already been asked to prepare for the two-day dialogue which is to be held in Islamabad in the third week of December.

    “Exact date of the home secretary-level talks will be finalised after the visit of the Pakistani judicial commission which is to be here sometime later this month. India will send proposed dates to Pakistan this week. It will be done after setting up a court or appointing a judge here to receive the Pakistani panel,” a senior government official said.

    A multi-member judicial commission will visit Mumbai and record statements of chief investigating officer of the 26/11 case, additional chief metropolitan magistrate — who recorded confessional statement of the Lashkar terrorist Ajmal Kasab — and two doctors who conducted post-mortem of nine Pakistani terrorists who were killed during the Mumbai terror attack in November 2008.

    The home ministry had written to Maharashtra government last week about checking/ensuring availability of the magistrate R V Sawant Waghule, chief investigating officer Ramesh Mahale and the doctors so that India could propose dates to Pakistan. Final decision on dates of the panel’s visit will, however, be taken by the Pakistani side.

    “Had Pakistan shown some urgency on sending its judicial commission, the home secretary-level talks would have been held much earlier as part of the decision to make such dialogue a bi-annual affair,” said the official.

    The decision to hold the talks bi-annually was taken during the last home/interior secretary-level talks in March when both countries agreed to it in order “to remain engaged on outstanding issues”.

    Indian officials are, meanwhile, exploring the option of sending an Indian commission to Pakistan as Islamabad had in March agreed for this “based upon the principle of comity and reciprocity” with respect to the Mumbai terror attack probe.

    Though Pakistan had promised on March 29 that it would convey to India about sending its commission within four to six weeks (by May 15), the matter did not move at Islamabad’s end for long. Pakistan informed India about the panel’s visit only early this month — nearly six months after its earlier ‘written’ promise.

    Other promises of Islamabad like dismantling terror infrastructure and curbing infiltration, made during numerous bilateral meetings between the two countries, have, however, not seen any progress despite New Delhi’s repeated reminders.

    In the backdrop of these developments, officials in the home ministry will have no option but to reiterate almost the same points during the talks in December.

    On the positive side, officials expect that both countries may take some final decisions on visa issues including multiple-entry and multi-city visas to businessmen and old citizens......................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JSC8yMDExLzExLzE0I0FyMDEyMDA=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Jammu and Kashmir: ..... withdrawal of controversial AFSPA from couple of violence-free districts seems certain

Interlocutors too want Act withdrawn

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 12, 2011, 05.02AM IST

NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah's views on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act tally with what the central interlocutors for the state have said in their report to the Union home minister P Chidambaram.

The report, which is yet to be made public by the Centre, is learnt to have favoured de-notification of the Disturbed Areas Act from certain 'peaceful' districts leading to automatic withdrawal of the AFSPA. It has stated that areas can again be 'notified' as Disturbed Areas as and when it is needed after security review, and therefore the 'idea' of withdrawal should be experimented at this juncture.

Pitching for 'partial' withdrawal of the Act, the chapter - dealing with the controversial law - has cited wishes of the people of the state, though it noted 'reservations' expressed by the Army against the 'withdrawal'.

Without disclosing contents of the report, Dileep Padgaonkar, who headed the three-member team of interlocutors, on Friday said he personally felt that the Disturbed Areas Act should be de-notified in certain districts that had not witnessed violence in the past six months or so. Government can periodically review the situation, and call the Army again if needed, he added.........http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTEvMTEvMTIjQXIwMTgwMg==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

All eyes are on new strategy - clear, hold and develop - to take on Red menace

P Chindambaram to review strategy for ‘liberated’ areas

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 9, 2011, 05.45AM IST

NEW DELHI: The Centre's new strategy to "clear, hold and develop" Maoist-affected areas -- being tried in the Saranda forests -- will see its first comprehensive review during home minister P Chidambaram's visit to Odisha and Jharkhand on Wednesday.

Though Saranda forest area -- once the Maoists' stronghold which is now under full control of security forces -- falls in Jharkhand, the strategy to 'clear' Red zones by pushing ultras out of it and 'hold' it for a substantial period of time for development works is being tested in neighbouring Odisha as well.

Sources said both the states will present their progress reports, consisting of measures to be taken to finetune the strategy as envisaged by the Union rural development ministry in close coordination with the home ministry.

Chidambaram, accompanied by CRPF chief K Vijay Kumar and other senior officials of his ministry, will first visit Bhubaneswar where he will also review inter-state coordination for the ongoing anti-Maoist operations. He will then go to Ranchi where he will review progress of the strategy in the Saranda forest area.

The ministry has sent two CRPF battalions (nearly 2,000 men) to Jharkhand for deployment in the Saranda forest area -- comprising 56 villages of six panchayats with a population of about 36,000 tribals -- so that the security forces can hold this area till all development works see substantial progress.

CRPF will keep its personnel in 20 identified camps to secure the area for a longer period, unlike in the past when security forces generally used to leave the Naxal areas after clearing it -- making it difficult for local administration to do development work under threat of Maoists' comeback.

"One more CRPF battalion (nearly 1,000 men) will be sent to the state for this purpose soon. Besides, the Centre will also help the state in raising India Reserve Battalion (IRB) -- having nearly 1,000 personnel -- by January 2012," said a senior official.

The action plan for the Saranda forest area, finalised by the rural development ministry, includes major activities like distribution of solar lanterns, bicycles and transitors and installing hand pumps for drinking water under the protection of central paramilitary forces.

Other development activities under various schemes like Integrated Action Plan (IAP), Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) and Pradhan Matri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) will go on simultaneously.

The Centre will replicate the plan in other Naxal-affected areas of the country in due course. "Jungle Mahal area of West Bengal may be the next to experiment this model, provided the security personnel dominate it by overthrowing Maoists," said an official........http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMS8xMS8wOSNBcjAwNjAw&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Indo-Pak border .... constant problem

Border build-up worries panel

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 8, 2011, 04.14AM IST

NEW DELHI: Taking note of huge construction activities across the border by Pakistan, which is resulting in erection of 97 additional 'observation post' towers and 162 barracks, a Parliamentary panel has come out with a number of suggestions for the government to counter such logistic build-up and asked it to urgently implement the proposal for construction of an earthen 'bund' on the home side of the fencing.

The panel has noted that all such additional constructions along the border in Pakistan had taken place in the past eig-ht years after both the nations had agreed for a 'ceasefire' in November, 2003.

Pitching for implementation of the proposal that has been pending for over two years, the Parliamentary standing committee on home affairs has noted that the 'bund', which was constructed to provide security cover to the persons engaged in fencing work, has become "counterproductive" as it has been helping militants (during infiltration bids).

The committee had submitted its report to the Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari on November 3.

The report, while referring to the government's response, has mentioned that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is "actively considering" a proposal for the construction of the 'bund' - naka-cum-machan-(raised platform)cum fighting bunkers - and road in the Jammu region of the state.

Besides the 'bund' issue, the panel, chaired by BJP member M Venkaiah Naidu, has taken a serious view of the logistics st-rategy for border surveillance and management.

It noted that the government has not commented on the observations of the committee regarding the manning of 60km-62 km by only one battalion (nearly 1,000 personnel) that deters operational efficiency.

The panel in its report on "Border Fencing and Flood Lighting Projects along Indo-Pak borders in the Country" has also asked the government to replace floodlights and cables along the Indo-Pak border that have "outlived" their life and have become "obsolete".

"Keeping in view the fact that the floodlight equipments have outlived their life and cables have also become obsolete and damaged, the committee recommends that it is necessary to replace the existing border flood light system with utmost expedition," the 32-page report said.

The government told the committee that a proposal regarding upgrade/replacement of the existing border flood lights system in Punjab sector, with new and more illuminating devices, was under examination............http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDExLzExLzA4I0FyMDEyMDA=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

A happy coincidence for this woman officer

4th gen IPS woman makes world record
Family Creates Police History With 90 Yrs Of Service

Vishwa Mohan |TNN

New Delhi: Manusmriti made police history at the IPS officers’ passing out parade in Hyderabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy on Saturday. The woman officer became the fourth generation of a family serving in police continuously since 1921.

    The feat of Manusmriti, who studied at Delhi’s St Stephens College and London School of Economics, is a world record for a family rendering uninterrupted police service for 90 years.

    The only such reported case in the world is of a family in Vancouver, Canada. But even in that case, the family has been serving in the police force for 82 years—eight years short of the record of Manusmriti’s family. The Vancouver Sun had in September reported that David Stewart joined Vancouver Police Department on September 23 as the fourth generation member of his family.

    After joining her Union Territory cadre, Manusmriti — an IPS officer of 2009 batch — will also have a distinction of being the only serving father-daughter IPS duo.

    Her father Kamlendra Prasad is a 1981-batch IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre. He is serving in Delhi as director of the National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science.

    Her grandfather Arbind Prasad had joined the Bihar police as a sub-inspector in 1952 and retired as an additional superintendent of police in 1988.

    Manusmriti’s great grandfather Harihar Prasad Verma had also joined the Bihar police during the British rule as a constable in 1921 and superannuated as an assistant sub-inspector in 1954.

    Manusmriti, an Inlaks scholar who had done her M Phil from CSSS, Kolkata, has also been feted for topping in law at the examination held during the IPS training at the SVP National Police Academy....http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDExLzExLzA2I0FyMDEwMDA=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

26/11 Mumbai terror attack case probe ..... several loose ends in Pakistan

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Finally, Pak's 26/11 judicial panel to visit India soon

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 5, 2011, 03.22AM IST

NEW DELHI: After dilly dallying for six months, Pakistan on Friday finally informed India that its judicial commission on 26\11 Mumbai terror attack case would visit here soon and asked New Delhi to work out certain related details, including option of dates depending on the availability of persons who are supposed to be interviewed by the panel.

Pakistan's high commissioner to India Shahid Malik met home minister P Chidambaram and conveyed him about the panel's proposed visit.

"I came to inform the minister (Chidambaram) that the government of Pakistan will be sending the judicial commission to carry the process forward and I have mentioned that to the minister. We will formally be informing the Indian government shortly," Malik said after the meeting. He, however, said dates of the proposed visit were yet to be finalized.

In March, India had agreed to host Pakistan's judicial commission to take statements of additional chief metropolitan magistrate R V Sawant Waghule, investigating officer (IO) Ramesh Mahale and the doctor who carried out the post-mortem of the terrorists who attacked Mumbai in November, 2008.

Asked how soon the Commission will visit India, Malik said: "I cannot put a date to it. The process has started. I am sure it will take place soon. I have come to inform the home minister that we have decided to send a Commission....It is for the Indian government to give us certain details".

Though Pakistan had promised at the home secretary-level talks in March that they would send the commission by May 15, the matter did not move an inch for long due to number of factors, including frequent change of the trial court judge in Pakistan.

Islamabad has been maintaining that it is necessary to send the commission to India as part of the judicial process of the 26/11 case in Pakistan. The panel wants to interview the Indian officials in connection with the trial of seven Pakistani suspects, including Lashkar commanders Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Zarar Shah - lodged in a jail in that country - in the 26/11 case.

Pakistan's contention is that the charges against the seven LeT operatives are based on Kasab's statement and hence the magistrate and the IO's statements are necessary to submit before the anti-terror court in that country.....http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JSC8yMDExLzExLzA1I0FyMDE1MDA=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Red Zone ..... more power to BSF to take on ultras in hinterland

BSF may get power of search, seizure and arrest

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 4, 2011, 03.06AM IST

NEW DELHI: Border Security Force (BSF), which is increasingly being deployed in the hinterland for counter-insurgency and anti-Naxal operations, may soon get additional powers of search, seizure and arrest as a parliamentary panel approved a proposed legislation to this effect, paving the way for the government to get it passed in Parliament during the winter session.

If it gets these additional powers, BSF - which is deployed along Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Bangladesh borders -- will be the third border guarding force with such a mandate.

Currently, powers of search, seizure and arrest are available to Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), deployed along Indo-China border, and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) that is deployed along Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders.

Considering the increasing role of BSF in Naxal-infested areas, the government had in August introduced the Border Security Force (Amendment) Bill, 2011 that sought to widen the scope for deployment of the force in the hinterland for counter-insurgency and anti-Naxal operations, during election period or even in maintaining law and order situation "with additional power to search, seizure and arrest" which is otherwise not available to it.

At present, nearly 5,000 BSF personnel are deployed in anti-Naxal operations and they require state police personnel who have power of "search, seizure and arrest" to accompany them. The proposed legislation will provide them more flexibility and mobility in terms of operations.

"The proposed amendment, therefore, is in a way, an enabling provision for BSF which is already available to SSB and ITBP," the Rajya Sabha secretariat said after getting the report of the parliamentary standing committee on home affairs over the bill. SSB and ITBP personnel are also deployed in Naxal-affected areas.

The panel -- headed by BJP member M Venkaiah Naidu -- presented its report to Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari on Thursday, saying the "committee adopted the bill without any changes and recommended for being passed". The bill was sent to it after its introduction in Lok Sabha on August 19.

The committee, in a different report also presented to Ansari on Thursday, recommended special allowances for BSF personnel deployed in "harsh" climatic conditions along the Indo-Pakistan border in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Currently, the paramilitary force personnel get 'desert/remote area' allowance in various areas of Jammu and Kashmir and north-eastern states, but not in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

The committee also asked the home ministry to relocate helicopters stationed at Safdarjung airport in the Capital to "strategic positions" along the Indo-Pak border to meet exigencies.

Taking note of various facilities being provided to the force, the panel suggested that modern, fast moving and more efficient vehicles should be provided to troops for border guarding duties instead of the "slow" tractors which are mainly used for agricultural purposes.........http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JSC8yMDExLzExLzA0I0FyMDExMDE=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Red Terror: ..... more forces to protect night trains

Railways to get more cover in Red zones

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 2, 2011, 03.02AM IST

NEW DELHI: In the backdrop of 68 Maoist attacks on railway properties in the past 22 months, the Centre on Tuesday decided to deploy additional forces, increase frequency of night-patrolling and install Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at vulnerable stations in Red Zones.

Besides, the affected states have been asked to increase the strength of GRPs and properly coordinate with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in patrolling at night. Now, night running of trains has been suspended along only two railway tracks passing through the naxal-hit areas.

The decisions to install CCTVs and stepping up night-patrolling were taken at a meeting, chaired by Union home secretary R K Singh. Railway Board chairman Vinay Mittal and police chiefs of West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand were among the senior officials who attended the meeting that was called to review the security of railway properties in the Maoist-affected states.

As compared to attacks on 45 railway properties, including stations, tracks and warehouses, by Maoists last year, the ultras has so far targeted 23 properties this year. While Jharkhand and Orissa have reported seven such attacks each, Chhattisgarh faced six attacks and Bihar three till October 15.

Stating that the idea of the meeting was to focus on "systemic improvement of railway security", an official said it was also decided to augment the RPF in Maoist-affected areas in coordination with state police forces to protect railway stations, tracks, warehouses and intensify patrolling to ensure smooth running of trains.

He said dedicated officers would be deployed at three designated places round the clock to coordinate security in railway properties, particularly on inter-state borders of West Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh and tri-junctions of states.

Analysis of the attacks shows that the Maoists have mainly been attacking on goods trains loaded with coal and iron ore, with an aim to affect industrial activities in different parts of the country. Another round of meeting will take place after two months when officials would take stock of the progress of implementation of all the decisions taken in Tuesday's meeting.......http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTEvMTEvMDIjQXIwMTgwNA==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom