Deployment of UAVs in Chhattisgarh on trial basis : Home Ministry

New Delhi, Mar 20 (UNI) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been deployed in Chhattisgarh, the worst hit among the 13 naxal-affected states, but it was done on a trial basis, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Minister of State for Home S Reghupathy said in a written reply that UAVs had been deployed in Chhattisgarh on a trial basis for corroborating ground level reports on the movement of naxal cadres, wherever possible.

Mr Reghupathy said this was part of the government's strategy to deal with the naxal problem which, among other things, include socio-economic development, better policing with hi-tech gadgets.

Replying to another set of questions, he said the policy of the Centre was that no peace dialogue by the affected states with naxal groups would be possible unless the Maoists first agree to give up violence and arms.

In this context, he pointed out that peace talks with naxalites had failed in the past.

"The naxalites utilised this opportunity for mass contact programmes, extensive militarisation, including acquisition of weapons, besides reorganising and strengthenikng their political and military formations." Mr Reghupathy confirmed reports that some ISI modules were active in certain districts in Assam.

He said the government had pursued a well-coordinated multi-pronged approach to neutralise plans of anti-national elements and ISI agents.

"As a result of the coordinated efforts of the central and state intelligence agencies and security forces, a number of Pakistan-backed terrorist and espionage modules have been detected or neutralised in various parts of the country, including Assam." UNI