‘Military-style offensive, better local intelligence required’

NEW DELHI - The murderous attack on some 50 civilians and security men in the Chhattisgarh forest Monday has left India’s security experts shocked over how Maoists could strike with such impunity for the second time in 40 days. There is suggestion of a military-style offensive and better grassroot intelligence by befriending locals.

The government must rethink its anti-insurgency strategy if they ever hope to win the war against the Maoists, said Vikram Sood, former chief of India’s external intelligence service, the Research and Analysis Wing.

“Unless you cannot control them through a well planned military-like offensive, the mere offer of talks won’t help. Force the Maoists to lay down their arms,” Sood told IANS.

He said the multi-pronged anti-Maoist strategy - that of continuing the crackdown in rebel strongholds and arresting senior leaders, combined with long-term, sustainable development and offer of talks - was flawed.

“What is the policy?” Sood questioned, adding India was not following any definitive military-style planing to tackle the Maoist insurgency.

“Our security forces need to be more proactive. Take them head on,” he said.

Having a distinct advantage of the topography of tracts in the central India, the rebels lie quietly in wait and trigger landmine devices resulting in huge casualties of security personnel.

In the past, they have also blown up power stations and railway tracks in their strongholds - in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Arun Bhagat, also a former intelligence chief, said: “The problem has been compounded over the last few years when very little was done. They (Maoists) have become well organised and well armed.”

Therefore, he said, “forces will have to be ready to face such casualties”.

“Apart from being proactive, we have to change the whole orientation of security forces. They will have to be trained in anti-guerrilla warfare. They need to be taught how to move in a guerrilla war zone. They will have to create a tacit understanding with locals to better their security network. There is no other way,” said Bhagat.

The road ahead for the security forces may look not to be easy but “strong political will is also needed to get rid of the menace”, Bhagat said.