Four Naxal-affected states will raise specialised forces trained in guerilla warfare on the lines of the much-acclaimed 'Greyhounds', a special police unit in Andhra Pradesh.
In a scheme funded and approved by the central government, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha will get funds to create and upgrade infrastructure, weaponry and equipment to combat the Naxal menace.
The proposed outlay during the 12th Plan in this regard is Rs 280 crore by the central government and around Rs 56 crore by the state government concerned, the Union home ministry said in its proposal.
The funding that will help beef up the police forces of these states will be done under the home ministry-sponsored Scheme for Special Infrastructure. The home ministry said the step to adopt a new strategy is being taken in the background of the success achieved by the Greyhounds in Andhra in combating left-wing extremism.
The ministry has, however, put certain riders on the states before the funds are released.
"The special force of the state concerned has to be upgraded as per the approved guidelines of Greyhounds. Even if a special force has been raised in some form in the state concerned, they are required to be reoriented through the entire process mentioned in the guidelines. The state will strictly adhere to these guidelines. Only states providing such an undertaking will be considered for funding under the scheme," the home ministry said.
The home ministry said the state governments should also consider providing funds, over a period of five years, to ensure 100 per cent residential accommodation for the special task force personnel. It has also mandated the task for these special units.
Salient features stipulated for these units are that they should be self-sufficient in all respects operationally and tactically.
These special units should be also capable of staying and operating in interior and inhospitable terrain/jungles for at least one week at a stretch with a view to take on extremists in their stronghold, the ministry said.
The special task forces should be capable of reaching inaccessible, remote forest areas throughout the state in the shortest possible time, conduct swift operations and be capable of "hot pursuit" across the borders since the extremists/anti-national forces do not adhere to state borders in their operations, it added.
These units will also have to be equipped with the best training facilities.
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