Police being trained in latest techniques to fight Maoists: Chhattisgarh CM

Raipur, June 3 (ANI): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has said that State police is being trained in counter-guerrilla strategies.

Addressing the 40th All India Police Science Congress here on Wednesday, Singh said: "We are proceeding towards a better situation. Incidences take place, but it did not dampened their spirits to fight the rebels. The spirit was always there in them, it is still there and it will remain. Because I believe that it is the biggest challenge for the country and is a big responsibility for the state of Chhattisgarh as we are surrounded by six states and if we are not able to contain them here then it will not strengthen country's fight against the rebels".

He applauded the efforts of police and the paramilitary personnel in fighting the Maoists as evident from cornering and limiting the ultras to certain pockets.

"In this situation, being a big challenge, the Chhattisgarh Police have been successful in limiting the strength of the fight we are facing from the Maoists, in fewer facilities. This represents the unusual bravery of our personnel and constables and the Chhattisgarh Police. I want to salute them," he said.

He also noted that better training would be provided to the police personnel to ensure a complete success.

"The technique which is used in India and also outside India, IED (improvised explosive device), that how to detect that and how to use anti-land mine vehicles will be taken care of," he said.

Top brass of the police from various states are taking part in the three-day conference hosted by the New Delhi-based Bureau of Police Research and Development in association with the Chhattisgarh Police.

Chhattisgarh has faced the brunt of Maoist attacks in the recent past.

Maoist rebels in recent months have stepped up attacks in retaliation to the joint operations launched by central paramilitary and state police outfits to flush them out of their jungle bases.

The Maoists are active in rural areas of central and eastern India and often attack railway lines and mining operations to cripple economic activity, such as the transportation of coal to power and steel plants.

The rebel movement started as a peasant revolt in Naxalbari village in West Bengal in 1967, giving Maoists the local name of "Naxals" or "Naxalites".

The rebels say they are fighting for the rights of the poor and marginal farmers and landless labourers. (ANI)