(a) whether a meeting of Chief Secretaries of States, DGPs and para-military forces was held recently in Delhi to discuss the issue of naxalism in the country;
(b) if so, the details of the issues discussed and the strategy chalked out to tackle the naxal threat;
(c) whether the Government proposes to form special commando force to tackle the naxalites in the country; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the said force is likely to be put into operation?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. A meeting was held by the Union Home Minister on 27.06.2014 with Chief Secretaries & Directors General of Police of the 10 LWE affected states and Directors General of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to review the LWE situation in the Country. Some of the important suggestions which emerged during the meeting relate to strengthening the security and improving development efforts in the LWE affected areas. There was also discussion on tactics, training & systems of security forces deployed in LWE theatre, intelligence mechanism, propaganda of the CPI(Maoist) party, the Special Forces, mobile connectivity through installation of mobile towers, full & speedy utilization of funds by the States under various security and development related schemes of the Government of India etc. In the light of suggestions which emerged during the meeting, the Ministry of Home Affairs has initiated suitable follow up action.
(c) & (d): The LWE affected states have their own Special Forces to combat Left Wing Extremism. The State police personnel are given specialised training in order to tackle the Left Wing Extremists. From the 12th Plan period, the Central Government is providing financial assistance to the worst LWE affected States of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha for upgradation/ critical gap filling of special forces under the Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS). Lesser quantum of funding under this scheme is also provided to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for upgradation/critical gap filling of special forces.
Besides, the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) personnel are also given specialized commando training. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has its own specialized commando force viz. Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA).