Bihar wants inclusion of 4 more districts in naxal-hit areas

In a significant move, Bihar’s NDA government has sought inclusion of four more naxalite-hit districts under the security related expenditure (SRE).

Apart from 15 out of the 38 revenue districts covered under the scheme at present, similar treatment is required for four more revenue districts affected by the maoists, IG (Operations) S K Bhardwaj said on Friday.

The state government’s initiative comes in the wake of union ministry’s special attention to containing the growing naxal activities in some states in the country.

Under the SRE scheme, the expenditure incurred on security is reimbursed by the Centre. Notably, naxalites have made their presence felt in 31 districts of the state.

The state government had proposed inclusion of four more districts — Lakhisarai, Munger, Buxar and Sheikhpura – in the SRE scheme. The Centre has however, decided to cover Munger only, Bhardwaj said.

”We have submitted a fresh proposal to this effect,” official sources said, ading Saharsa should also be included in the list of districts covered under the SRE.

Bhardwaj, also in-charge of anti-naxal cell in the state police headquarters, said that two of the three proposed India Reserve (IR) battalions have been made operational and the process of land acquisition for the third IR battalion at Valmikinagar in West Champaran district (close to Indo-Nepal border) was underway.

Official sources said the recruitment of police personnel for the two IR battalions — one at the Bihar Military Police-4 (Dumraon) and another at the BMP-12 (Saharsa)—was almost complete and the newly recruited constables were undergoing rigorous training.

The IG said the Centre might provide four counter insurgency battalions for resolute action at Kaimur-Rohtas, Jamui-Nawada and Gaya-Aurangabad.

The state was also planning to set up four counter insurgency and anti-terrorism schools at BMP-2 (Dehri-on-Sone), BMP-3 (Bodh Gaya), BMP-4 (Dumraon) and BMP-15 (Valmikinagar).

The Centre has released Rs 1.6 Crore for the purpose and tenders for construction of buildings for the proposed training centres are likely to be advertised in september, ADG

(Headquarters) Neelmani said.

He informed that the detailed project report for the proposed training schools had already been submitted to the government for its approval.

The police headquarters is also contemplating to bring about certain changes in the surrender policy of the state government for naxalites.

The surrender policy of the Jharkhand government was more lucrative, sources said. IE