‘Mineprotected vehicles arenotforeverydayuse’
BASTAR TROUBLE New guidelines for movement of troops after Sukma attack BASTAR/RAIPUR:
The death of nine Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers in an ambush on March 13 has forced the Chhattisgarh police to draw up a set of six guidelines for use of mine-protected vehicles (MPVs) in anti-Maoist operations.
Police said the MPV that came under attack in Sukma district was ferrying vegetables as well as a number of CRPF troopers who were returning from leave.
Chhattisgarh special director general of police (anti-Naxal operations) DM Awasthi confirmed the issuance of the guidelines, but declined to comment if they were similar to the ones issued in the aftermath of previous attacks on MPVs. Maoists have targeted eight vehicles of the kind in Chhattisgarh until now, killing 43 security personnel and injuring several others.
Police officers active in Maoist hotbeds across Bastar region say that although standard operating procedures govern the movement of security forces there, even a momentary lapse of judgment could prove fatal. They cite last week’s attack in Sukma district as a case in point.
Awasthi pointed out that ferrying vegetables and CRPF personnel in MPVs was not standard practice.
“The fresh guidelines reiterate that MPVs should not be used as troop carriers in core Maoist areas,” he said. “These vehicles should only be used as a ‘mobile morcha’ for evacuating injured people in a protected environment during shootouts. They should be presented as a surprise element, not an object of everyday use.”
The new guidelines also state that MPVs should be used only after a road opening party (ROP) has assessed the route and terrain. “It’s mandatory for troopers to use seatbelts while travelling in MPVs,” said Awasthi. Nine CRPF soldiers died in a mine attack on their vehicle in Sukma on March 13.
June 18, 2005 — Blast in Chhotedongar, Nayaranpur district. SP among 19 injured
Sept 2, 2005 — Blast in Prenjarnala, Bijapur district. 24 killed: 22 CRPF troopers, 1 district police jawan, 1 special police officer (SPO)
March 27, 2008 — Blast in Manpur, Rajanandgaon district. Security personnel sustained injuries
Nov 15, 2008 — Blast in Chintagufa, Sukma district. More than a dozen security personnel injured
Officers serving in Bastar believe Maoists managed to inflict casualties in attacks on MPVs because security forces have, at times, let their guard down. “It is a myth that MPVs – at least the ones we have – are completely landmine proof. They are only landmine resistant up to a point. Most of the MPVs we have are vulnerable if over 30 kg of explosives is used,” said a police officer on the condition of anonymity.
“In the latest Sukma attack, the Maoists used more than 50
Nov 21, 2009 — Blast in Awapalli, Bijapur district. No one injured
It is a myth that MPVs, at least the ones we have, are landmine proof. They are only landmine resistant up to a point. Most of the MPVs we have are vulnerable if more than 30kg of explosives is used.
POLICE OFFICER
kg of explosives. The blast toppled the vehicle.”
The officer went on to say that some security personnel remove their helmets and bullet-proof jacket while travelling in MPVs.
“We have noticed that many deaths are due to head and chest injuries,” he added.
Another officer said that as Maoists scrutinise the movement and reaction patterns of security forces, MPVs – which are noisy and difficult to camouflage – must be used sparingly and only as a “surprise element”.