Two days after the massacre of 25 CRPF men, the government today attempted to galvanise its security apparatus by ordering a revamp of the intelligence gathering mechanism and appointing a full-fledged chief of the force whose absence brought it criticism.
The Centre also plans to procure advanced aerial surveillance equipment, including foliage penetration radar, to monitor the activities of Naxals, who operate in thick forests in Chhattisgarh and other states.
The Home Ministry officials said initial reports from the ground indicated that the nearly 100-member CRPF team that came under fierce attack in Chhattisgarh's Sukma did not follow the Standard Operating Procedure, which resulted in heavy casualties.
A high-level meeting chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh today decided to strengthen the human intelligence network in Maoist-hit areas to minimise casualties of security forces engaged in anti-naxal operations.
The meeting stressed on revamping the intelligence gathering mechanism, meticulously analysing the ongoing operations, identifying problem areas and resolving them for better results.
The top security brass, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and others focused on re-calibration of the anti-naxal strategy, and discussed as to how to make it more effective and minimise casualties.
The extra-stress on human intelligence stemmed from reports that the naxalite guerrillas attacked the CRPF team after taking shelter in the homes of local tribals without the security forces getting a whiff of it.
After dilly dallying for almost two months, the government finally appointed a full-fledged Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force.
1983 batch IPS officer Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar, who belongs to Uttar Pradesh cadre, will lead the three lakh-strong CRPF at a time when the force has suffered reverses in the theatre of Naxal violence and is dealing with mounting protests in Jammu and Kashmir.
The paramilitary force was headless for nearly two months after the retirement of K Durga Prasad on February 28.
The foliage penetration radar is the need of the hour and the government was looking for its procurement as early as possible, a senior Home Ministry official said.
The radar can pick up the movement of Naxals on the ground and also click pictures piercing through thick foliage.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)