Politicians can move freely in Jharkhand Maoitst belts: police

Ranchi: With an aim to prevent the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) from exploiting any political vacuum at the grassroots, the police would not ask political leaders to change their programmes or routes in Jharkhand unless there is any “specific input” about Maoist threat. “They (politicians) can go wherever they want but they should keep us informed (to keep a close vigil and providing adequate security),” said Additional Director General of Police SN Pradhan in Ranchi today.[caption id=“attachment_1114525” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Taking the fight to Maoist belts. AFP[/caption] “If it is absolutely necessary following specific inputs about any danger (then only) we will advise them to change the programme or route,” the ADGP said. Asked whether it was a new advisory, he said the police got a feedback from the politicians that they should move freely in their areas. Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, who visits naxal strong-holds every fortnight in Maoist-affected states, have been suggesting that politicians should not ’leave any vacuum’ at the grassroots to LWE exploitation and they should strengthen democracy through continuous political activities. In the multi-pronged strategies to curb LWE, the government recently reviewed its surrender policy, a total of 40 personnel of Jharkhand Jaguar are undergoing vigorous training on the pattern of Grey Hounds of Andhra Pradesh and officials are being asked not to abdicate their place of posting following naxal fear. Jharkhand chief secretary RS Sharma, who had on 13 June said the state faced a major problem in execution of developmental projects as many government officials posted at the block level “abdicate” offices for fear of LWE, reviewed the surrender policy on 13 September. To bring back the rebels to the mainstream with a better rehabilitation package, Sharma directed to make necessary changes to the policy like putting up the surrendered naxalites in Hazaribagh Open Jail along with their family members, imparting them with skill training and increasing the amount upon their surrender. Chief Minister Hemant Soren had on 12 September asked the extremists to shun violence, accept dialogue and return to the mainstream. Former chief ministers Babulal Marandi and Arjun Munda are among some leaders in the hit list of the Maoists. The rebels had eliminated legislators Mahendra Prasad Singh (CPI-ML-Liberation), Ramesh Singh Munda (JDU) and Sunil Mahato (JMM), besides killing several local political leaders and innocent people in the last 13 years with the rebel activities being reported in 20 of the state’s 24 districts. The left wing guerrillas had also killed many police personnel, including Pakur superintendent of police Amarjit Balihar, since the state’s creation. PTI