Interview/ Gyanendra Pratap Singh, director general, CRPF
Gyanendra Pratap Singh, director general of Central Reserve Police Force, has led operations that helped defang the United Liberation Front of Asom in the northeast and crack down on terror financing in Jammu and Kashmir. Now tasked with wiping out remnants of Naxal forces by next year, Singh says interstate coordination is proving to be crucial in ending the red menace. Excerpts from an interview:
Q/ The Karreguttalu operations have been termed as the beginning of the end of Naxalism. What is the roadmap of the security forces?
A/ Multiple operations are being carried out across states where Naxals are known to take shelter. After Operation Black Forest, security forces have regularly neutralised Naxal leaders and cadres, and a significant number have also surrendered or been arrested. We would ensure that by March 31 next year, Naxalism as we know today is wiped out. After that, we would continue to wipe out conditions that gave birth to Naxalism—through enhanced developmental activities and service delivery to citizens.
Q/ Anti-Naxal operations in undivided Andhra Pradesh had Maoists taking refuge in Chhattisgarh. Do you think neighbouring states are prepared to stop Maoists from expanding base?
A/ The Chhattisgarh Police, along with the Central police forces, have done yeoman service in the fight against Naxalism. Their dedication is unparalleled. The District Reserve Guard, Special Task Force and CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) have set new benchmarks in the country’s internal security architecture. This action, along with the steadfast action being carried out by police forces and specialised units in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar, have ensured that Naxals do not get safe shelter anywhere.
Q/ Naxal footprints have been noticed in Assam and the Tamil Nadu-Kerala-Karnataka tri-junction. What steps are being taken to deal with it?
A/ Central and state agencies and police units keep a close watch over developments. All such areas that are deemed vulnerable due to legacy factors, or have geographical or demographic factors that may help in providing shelter to Naxal leaders, are closely monitored. It was as part of this exercise that CPI(Maoist) central committee member Kishenji was identified, located and arrested in Assam’s Silchar district a couple of years ago.
What is noteworthy is that local people are turning against Naxals because of large-scale, barbaric killings of innocent civilians. There has been a similar public reaction to the death of women and children because of IEDs (improvised explosive devices) laid by Maoists in civilian areas. The death of wildlife and domesticated animals in IED blasts has also set people against Naxals.
Secondly, the security vacuum covered by forces through forward operating bases and joint task force camps in Naxal-affected states, followed by a surge in development activities and strong government footprint in these areas have been a game changer.
Q/ The CPI(Maoist) has once again talked about ceasefire. What are your thoughts?
A/ All states have good schemes for those who shun violence and leave the path of Naxalism to join the mainstream. I hope good sense prevails, and they make use of these schemes. We, as a security force mandated to protect the people, would continue to take action against any person using weapons against civilians and security personnel. We shall continue to be ruthless in our resolve to rid the country of Naxalism by March 2026.