To counter the Maoists’ new tactics of using villagers as “human shields” in encounters to discredit the security forces, the government has framed fresh guidelines. These gui-delines, to be circulated soon to Central paramilitary units and state governments, for the first time call for use of non-lethal weapons and seek deployment of snipers to target armed Maoists hiding behind “human shields”.
Central paramilitary units will no longer operate independently under the new guidelines, it will be mandatory for them to undertake anti-Naxalite operations with local police forces well versed with the area.
The new standard operating procedures require the forces to carry pump action guns, stun grenades, teargas shells and rubber bullets when villagers in large numbers gather in support of Naxalites. “Teargas is a very potent assent to temporarily incapacitate active enemy volunteers,” the SOPs say.
The new guidelines come just two months after 19 people were killed in Chhattisgarh by the CRPF where villagers were used as human shields, promp-ting the government to revisit strategy. The SOPs note that the Maoists are increasing taking cover behind women and children, making them “human shields”.