Army units are currently undergoing jungle warfare training in Naxalite-affected Chhattisgarh, even as the Centre’s policy of not deploying the Army in anti-Maoist operations anywhere in the country remains in place.
The jungle warfare training is currently on at the Narainpur Manoeuvre Range in South Chhattisgarh. The Army has in recent years boosted its presence in Chhattisgarh by setting up a training establishment and a sub-area headquarters. The Maoists have a strong presence in the state’s forest regions.
The Centre, however, retains the option of deploying the Army to fight the Naxals in a worst-case scenario, if the situation worsens and appears beyond the control of the paramilitary forces.
Significantly, besides jungle warfare training in the past year, the Army is also planning a massive initiative to reach out to the state’s tribals by providing amenities like potable water, medical facilities, schools and recruitment training for eligible youths. This initiative has been officially described as the Army’s “mega-outreach” in Chhattisgarh.