Anti-Maoist operations 'to begin soon'

New Delhi : Central paramilitary forces have taken up positions to begin the offensive against Maoist guerrillas in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh in the first half of December, top officers here say.

The schedule has been worked out, forces have been deployed and, if everything goes well, the first phase of the operations could take off as early as next fortnight.

"The battalions of the Border Security Force (BSF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had already taken their positions in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, from where we would first start the operations," a senior officer dealing with anti-Maoist operations said on condition of strict anonymity.

The BSF, ITBP and CRPF would be jointly operating in Chhattisgarh, he added.

Coordinated

Four battalions from the ITBP and at least two from BSF have moved to Chhattisgarh. Each battalion comprises 700 personnel. The CRPF is present in large numbers in Chhattisgarh, the most affected by Maoist violence.

"In Maharashtra the onus of taking on the Maoists largely lies on the shoulders of the CRPF. The force has moved additional three battalions in the state," the officer added.

The CRPF, one the world's largest paramilitary forces, has 207 battalions.

Another senior officer, who was not authorised to speak to the media, said: "The operations will be jointly launched in synergy in both the states. It will be coordinated and additional forces will be rushed as per the requirement."