Army to supervise major offensive against Naxals

RANCHI: A major offensive to be launched in Jharkhand under direct supervision of Union home ministry in the next month will be coordinated by senior officers of the Indian Army.

The decision was taken at a meeting of chief ministers of seven Maoist-hit states held with the Union home minister P Chidambram in Delhi on Monday evening.

The meeting which took place in presence of governor K Sankaranarayanan, as Jharkhand is currently under President's rule, and senior officers of the state including chief secretary and director general of police decided the nitty-gritty of the final assault on Naxals.

The state will be divided in to different sectors and the Maoists stronghold will be attacked from all sides. Air power will also be used to corner the rebels in case they take shelter in difficult terrains.

Officials present at the meeting revealed that the offensive would be launched under direct guidance of senior officers of the Army who have expertise in guerilla and jungle warfare.

During the meeting, it was also agreed that the Centre would provide need-based additional Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF) during the operation. The number of companies of (CPMF) would be need-based as similar operation will be launched in other states including West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Orissa which borders Jharkhand, said an officer.It is expected that at least 50 companies will be provided to the state till the operation is over, the official added.

The Jharkhand police have launched limited operations in different sectors of the state to check its preparedness before the final offensive. The operations have been launched in parts of Bokaro and East Singhbhum.

Jharkhand police spokesperson IG SN Pradhan said the state police launched operations at strategic locations to flush out the Maoists