Jharkhand DGP says state's Naxal problem is in the last stages

The Naxal problem in Jharkhand is in its final phase as security forces have launched a coordinated offensive to eradicate the menace, Director General of Police Ajay Kumar Singh said on Sunday. A 'Naxal hotbed and training centre' in Jharkhand - Budha Pahad - on the Chhattisgarh border was recently captured by security forces after more than three decades of Naxal rule.

Singh, a 1989-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, was appointed as the new Director General of Police in Jharkhand earlier this month. "The Naxal problem in Jharkhand is at its last stage. Whatever is left needs to be solved. We have enough manpower and expertise to do it, and we will be able to curb it further," Singh told in an interview.

In the last three years, a total of 31 Naxalites, including members of regional committees, zonal, sub-zonal and area commanders, have been shot dead, while 1,319 have been arrested, including Politburo and Central Committee members. As many as 44 new forward operational bases have been established in key Naxalism-affected areas.

Singh said that apart from the Naxal problem, his priority would be to improve the overall law and order situation and reduce crime in the state by taking strong action against organized crime. "The public's access to the police station...to the machinery of force should be hassle-free.... My endeavor will be that the police station should not instill fear, but be seen as a support system work will improve...," Sr. told policeman.

Additionally, there is still a need for urban policing, community policing and policing with a human face. "These are my priority areas. We can start with community policing and the focus should be on checking crime against women, helping old people... It would be my endeavor to instill confidence among the masses through community policing," he said. Asked about incidents of lynching, labeling of women as witches and the nature of crime in tribal areas, he said that apart from the criminal aspect, there is also a social aspect.

"Awareness needs to be created in rural areas. Alongside, if there is awareness, these kinds of things can be curbed. We will also take into account the local people, village elders and other community leaders," the DGP pointed out. Asked about opium trade in the state, he said the areas where it is grown have been identified.

"Every season, action is being taken. Action is being taken against them. We are also taking support from central agencies and that will be checked," he said. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren last month visited the captured "Naxal hotbed and training centre" Budha Pahad, which was captured by joint security forces after more than three decades of Naxal rule.

Joint security forces comprising CoBRA (Commando Battalion of Resolute Action) of CRPF in a coordinated long operation codenamed 'Octopus', 'Double Bull' and 'Thunderstorm' managed to liberate 'Budha Pahad' in Garhwa and Latehar in Jharkhand, about 150 km from the state capital of Ranchi, which until last year provided sanctuary to top Naxal commanders from Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Odisha and Maharashtra.