CRPF soldiers are the real Gandhians with guns
To support security forces on the field, a comprehensive strategy for solving the Maoist issue is necessary
On April 24, 25 CRPF soldiers were killed by the Maoists in the Chintagufa-Burkapal area of Sukma district in Chhattisgarh. Their guns were looted, bodies were mutilated, and the Maoists tried to plant an IED inside one of the bodies. Bastar is an undeclared warzone with the term ‘security forces’ is used for the state police, the district reserve group (a force made of local youth and surrendered Naxals) and the CAPF (BSF, ITBP, CRPF), fighting side by side. But in the recent past, those killed in the conflict are almost always from the CRPF.
In Bastar, CRPF serves alongside the state police. They have little control over the location of their camps. Their deployment is irrational, making them easy targets . There is a failure of intelligence sharing between the forces. With severe shortage of equipment, they are facing the guerillas of the fourth most deadly terrorist organization in the world, according to the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism. Still CRPF is giving them a tough fight, which they should be proud of.
Historically, CRPF has been the force that has held India together. They are deployed in almost every challenging situation that India has faced. From Kashmir to Bastar, it is the CRPF, which receives bullets, grenades, IEDs, stones and abuses. There are several incidents where the CRPF men were hit and did not retaliate out of the concern for civilians.
The Maoists have, in their latest press note, appealed to the soldiers to leave the forces and join them, claiming soldiers are not their class enemies. If that is so, why do they spread fake propaganda stories of exploitation? They have replaced the earlier enemy figure of landlords and moneylenders with that of a CRPF soldier. In the past four or five years, the Maoists are only targeting the CRPF.
The reason for this is because the CRPF are the first ones to enter many villages in Bastar with the message of democracy. Thanks to the protection they provide, even the most interior areas in Bastar now have roads and bridges. The CRPF are the check against the inhuman atrocities of Maoists, who have now crossed all limits.
To support the forces, a comprehensive strategy for solving the Maoist issue is necessary. Formalisation of the unified command against the Maoists is required. Improving inter-agency coordination and access to integrated intelligence will help. They should also have better coordination with various development bodies in their area of operation.
The CRPF has the potential to free Bastar of Maoist violence. They are the real Gandhians with guns, and are the reason for India being a flourishing democracy.