Bengal has already written to the Home Ministry, requesting the latter to reconsider pulling out CRPF personell from the State; Uttar Pradesh Police do not appear keen on relieving the troops either; the reactions of Bihar and Jharkhand to the MHA's order are as yet unknown
Raipur/New Delhi: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) deployed in Bastar and Sukma may have a tough time ahead as States like West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh have asked the Union government to reconsider the ordered withdrawal of forces from the States.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) just a day before the Independence Day had asked four States to release seven battalions to deploy them in Maoist-hit areas.
The CRPF, which had planned multiple anti-Naxal operation in Bastar and Sukma, will be affected as expected. As many as 7,000 security personnel will not be able to move due to the representation from some of the States.
Already, the Maoists are desperate to avenge the recent killing of 15 leftist terrorists in a joint operation. “This would not only affect the operations against the Naxals but it is also very dangerous as the force requires more personnel to give a befitting reply to Maoists. They are already trying to hit back after 15 Naxals were killed in an encounter recently,” a senior CRPF officer said.
The West Bengal government of Mamta Banerjee has said in a letter that the withdrawing of three battalions of the CRPF is not considered feasible at this moment.
“With reference to the above, it is to inform that the government of West Bengal has taken up the issue for reconsidering the decision of withdrawal of three battalions of CRPF from West Bengal for deployment in Chhattisgarh with the Ministry of Home Affairs. In view of the withdrawal of the companies as mentioned in your letter under above reference (sic) is not considered feasible at this moment,” ADG, Bengal Police Anuj Sharma said in his letter written on August 22.
Further, Uttar Pradesh is not keen to accept the MHA’s order of withdrawal of CRPF battalions. “Currently, we require extra force to maintain the law and order situation in the State. Already, the festival season is about to start and we will require extra force. We would request the Centre to reconsider its decision,” a senior Uttar Pradesh Police officer said.
MyNation first reported about the MHA’s move of withdrawing forces from four States to deploy them in the areas of Chhattisgarh, worst-hit by Maoist insurgency.
The MHA has asked all the four State governments (Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bengal and Bihar) to relieve the forces as soon as possible.
Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.