CRPF headquarters moves back to Naxal heartland

New Delhi: In a tactical move CRPF has shifted its strategic command headquarters for anti-Naxal operations from Kolkatta to the Maoist heartland of Chhattisgarh and will now operate out of Raipur.

Following home ministry’s directive a decision has already been taken to launch a massive offensive against Naxal outfits in wake of 37 CRPF personnel being killed in last two months in the State.

Meanwhile home minister Rajnath Singh will chair a high level meeting on Monday with Chief Ministers of at least 10 Naxal infested States. In addition to CMs of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh senior security and intelligence officials both from the Centre and State will also participate in the meeting.

Sources said the meeting will focus primarily on evolving a new strategy to deal with the Naxal menace and ensure that casualties for security personnel can be averted while inflicting maximum damage on top Maoist leadership in the months ahead. In addition, development work particularly road construction in areas of Naxal dominance will also be discussed in detail during the crucial meeting.

So far, home ministry officials claimed, nearly 90 per cent of Naxal activity has been confined to 35 districts in the country, while their area of influence extends to nearly 68 districts in 10 states.

The CRPF has already decided to immediately shift its operations command centre for the central zone from Kolkatta to Raipur as some districts of Chhattisgarh have emerged as the main areas of Naxal operation as was witnessed in the recent Sukma encounter.

Citing connectivity and logistical issues, the forces had decided to shift the operations centre from Raipur to Kolkata, seven years ago. The newly appointed CRPF chief Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar has directed that the command centre is moved back to Raipur before the meeting on Monday.