Vikram Srivastava, DG, CRPF, talks about the Unified Command set-up for anti-Naxal operations, providing anti-riot gear to its personnel in J&K and the need to work overtime to meet the training requirements.
Q. The CRPF is getting hit repeatedly. What do you have to say?
A. We are deployed in the states and are assisting the state governments and the state police. All operations are planned along with the state police. There have been instances when the state police, state special armed forces and the CRPF have suffered losses during operational movements in these active areas.
Q. Do you think there is a need for reorientation of the force?
A. We (CRPF) have a very challenging job. These are operationally active theatres. The CRPF is a trained force. It has been doing internal security duties for many decades in difficult theatres. Every theatre has a specific challenge. Once the force is inducted in a particular theatre, they undergo pre-induction training to familiarise themselves with the modus operandi of the anti-national elements so that they can reorient themselves to face the challenge in that particular theatre.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the CRPF companies are facing challenges which are different from other theatres of operation. The troops during pre-induction familiarise with the complete background of the incidents, intelligence and modus operandi.
Q. The local administration speaks of lack of co-ordination between the CRPF and local police.
A. There is no lack of co-ordination.
Q. Chattisgarh DGP, Vishwa Ranjan, came up with critical comments against the CRPF. For instance, he said, we cannot teach them to walk... your views?
A. I don’t think he could have said it. We have proper co-ordination. He has never discussed anything with me. If you ask me, I’ll say, he couldn’t have said that.
Q. There is a lack of training facilities, for example, training locations and few instructors for the large force. Do you feel there is a need to streamline the training?
A. Training is taking place. Even when we have to train a large number of personnel, we identify suitable locations. We may need to work overtime to train large number of men to meet our requirements.
Q. Were the CRPF personnel who got hit in Naraynpur given training in jungle warfare recently?
A. They have been successfully doing operational movements in the Narayanpur area. This incident, however, was an ambush situation. In a terrain and jungle like that, you cannot rule out the possibility of an ambush. We must remember that it is an highly active area where the CRPF and the state police are working.
Q. Any special plans to upgrade the equipments used by the force to meet the specific challenges in Left Wing Extremist (LWE) states and J&K?
A. In J&K, there have been rising incidents of stone-pelting. We are upgrading the anti-riot gear of the force in J&K. In the LWE areas, we have enough equipment. But we need to augment, so it will have to be done.
Q. The CRPF personnel in J&K are being equipped with pepper guns?
A. Whatever becomes a challenge, we have to try and counter them. Even in our houses, don’t we purchase and keep items to cater for emergency situations?
Q. How do you see the Maoist situation in West Bengal with elections approaching in the state next year?
A. We are working there along with the state police. Based on intelligence of the state police, we carry out intelligence-based operations. We have good rapport with the West Bengal police. Now, we have placed four IGs in four states —Chattisgarh, West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand — exclusively for co-ordinating the anti-naxal operations.
Q. What is the reason behind shifting the CRPF Special DG Vijay Raman, commander of the anti-Naxalite task force, from Raipur to Kolkata? Has there been a change in his duties?
A. When Mr Raman went to Raipur, he was additional DG. He has been promoted as a Special DG and moved to Kolkata. As you know, the Unified Commands are being set up in the four states to oversee the anti-national operations. Besides, four IGs have been appointed by the CRPF. This new set-up, which is being put in place, will work very well.
Q. Who do you blame for the lack of development in the remote areas of Dantewada, Abujmar and other such areas in Chattisgarh?
A. I would not like to blame anybody. There is a two-pronged approach of development and police action which I feel is the right approach. Though we have suffered a few setbacks, I feel that with the above approach, the naxal activity will be eradicated.
Q. Are you satisfied with the action taken against officers after the Dantewada episode?
A. We always analyse incidents. There are lessons to be learnt after every successful and not-so-successful operations. Corrective measures and steps are taken so that instances like this do not happen again.
Q. What are the expansion plans of the CRPF?
A. We are in the process of raising eight new battalions in 2010-11. We have specially selected personnel from the force for the Special Action Force (SAF). Six battalions have already been raised and we are raising four more battalions this year.
Q. What is happening to the Intelligence Wing of the CRPF?
A. It is being put in place. We have selected personnel for it and they are being trained. It will be there for various battalions in various theatres.
Q. Is there a move for the bifurcation of the CRPF personnel for law and order and counter-insurgency duties? Is it feasible?
A. I have no information. The CRPF is a multi-dimensional force. Force personnel are oriented for duties depending on the theatre of deployment.
Q. Are there intelligence reports to suggest that Maoists have links with the Northeast insurgents and other cross-border outfits?
A. A lot of naxal literature has been seized recently. In Jharkhand, the force has seized 500 kg of naxal literature which gives lots of inputs about their activities. All that is being analysed. We will analyse and use these inputs suitably.
Q. What kind of communication equipment do the Maoists have?
A. We know they have wireless sets. Some of them have been snatched from the forces during skirmishes. Some of the Maoists camps which were busted were located atop hillocks having good mobile network even though there is no network connection there.
Q. There seems to be a need for young blood in the force.
A. We have young blood in the force. There are specific units in the CRPF, like the RAF and the SAF, which have an age limit. Otherwise, it’s a suitable mix of young and experienced hands since there are many ranks involved.
Q. The Bihar government is reportedly soft on Maoists. Is there any political pressure on combating the insurgents?
A. The CRPF and the state police are doing joint operations and have no problem. We are in close touch with the DGPs of Bihar and Jharkhand.
Q. Is there a shortfall of officers in the CRPF?
A. We have the gazetted officers recruited through the UPSC. There are officers who avail of the Voluntary Retirement Scheme and some are selected to the central and All-India services. So vacancies are created at different times and are projected and filled up accordingly.
Q. What is your first priority for the force?
A. The CRPF is the peace-keeper of the nation. The force has to rise to effectively meet the challenges of the times. We need to boost the morale of the force personnel by meeting them and attending to the problems of their families. They are doing their duties in challenging times and basic amenities and facilities need to be given to them.
Q. The Centre gives funds to the LWE states under the Security Related Expenditure Scheme. Should funds be given directly to the force commanders?
A. The government has given enough funds. In certain areas, the funds are given to the state governments. As far as the CRPF is concerned, we have enough funds.