The Maoists are now using their women cadres to 'trap' security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region — a strategy earlier employed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka.
Citing several instances encountered by security personnel recently, a senior officer said the latest strategy adopted by the Reds was aimed at 'weakening' the forces psychologically.
The same tactics were employed by the LTTE against the Sri Lankan forces during insurgency. The police officer, requesting anonymity, narrated how a contingent of security personnel from the CRPF and district force of Chhattisgarh police had walked into the trap of the rebels at Risgaon in Kanker district when they ventured into the nearby forest after hearing cries of women.
The troopers were soon greeted by intense firing by the Naxals, hiding in the jungle, leading to an encounter. Fortunately, the personnel somehow managed to escape unhurt.
In another incident, two months ago security forces surrounded a Naxal hideout in Narayanpur district. But, the rebels then pushed the unarmed women cadres to the front, leaving the jawans in an 'ethical' dilemma as to whether to open fire on them. Amid the confusion, the Maoists, including the women cadres, managed to flee.