3 yrs needed to clear all landmines, J'khand tells Centre

Ranchi, Dec 4 (UNI) It will take at least three years to detect landmines planted in 16 of the total 22 districts in Jharkhand with the present strength of security force, the state government told the Centre today justifying its claim for 50 companies to contain the sudden spurt in naxal violence in the state.

A high-level delegation from New Delhi led by Additional Home Secretary Vinay Kumar rushed to the state capital this morning and held discussion with Chief Minister Madhu Koda, Chief Secretary M K Mandal, Director General of Police J B Mahapatra and other senior officials.

The meeting assumed significance in the wake of December 2 landmines explosions in Bokaro that left 13 security personnel killed.

Immediately after the meeting here, the DGP told newspersons that the present strength deployed in the state was not adequate to contain naxalite movement in the state adding the landmines planted by the ultras was a major challenge to the force.

Mr Mahapatra said, '' we have got less than ten per cent of our requirement and if we engage them to sanitise the sensitive districts it will take at least three years which is almost impossible''.

He said the state government briefed the visiting delegation with main emphasis on the state requiring forces like Chattisgarh, police be given deep search metal detectors and formation of bomb disposal squads that are to be placed in all districts.

The DG admitted that the police were required to be aware of latest technology as the ''techno-savy'' ultras were carrying out operation using sophisticated gadgets.

Immediately after the meeting the central team rushed to Bokaro to make an on the spot assessmnt.

UNI PRS KK SS1709