A.5. Counter actions against extremism
The Naxalite movement is largely considered the country’s single greatest threat to its internal security.
Maintenance of law and order is the responsibility of state governments, but the central government has deployed CRPF troops in these areas and they act as support systems for state police.
Centre has also deployed the CoBRA – Commando Battalion for Resolute Actions- elite forces specializing in guerrilla and jungle warfare.
Insurgencies in Jammu and Kashmir and northeast states have been dealt with with the implementation of AFPSA (Armed forces special power act), but the Naxal infested areas are not included in this.
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Grey Hound Police |
They are an elite commando force of Andhra Pradesh created to combat left-wing extremists. The Force is known for its guerrilla approach and its functioning in the field, which is near similar to that of the Maoists. |
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Operation Green Hunt |
It was the name used by the Indian media to describe the “all-out offensive” by the government of India’s paramilitary forces and the state’s forces against the Naxalites. The operation is believed to have begun in November 2009 along with five states in the Red Corridor. |
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Salwa Judum |
It was described as a People’s movement and meant, “Peace hunt” in the local Gondi tribal dialect. The movement was launched by a few villagers angered by Naxal interference in the local trade of tendu leaves used for making bidis.
A security blueprint to tackle the Maoist threat was prominently featured in the government’s 14-Point Policy and subsequently took the form of a series of security-centric measures to address the growing Maoist movement:
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Peace Talks with Maoists and ceasefires |
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Surrender Policy |
Naxal-affected states have also announced surrender policies-
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But there is no effective intelligence mechanism to identify Naxal cadres. Often, tribal youths surrender as Naxals after many of them joining the Naxal movement to reap these benefits.