The Hindu : Training for suicide squads?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 15, 2002

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National

Training for suicide squads?

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI Nov. 14. Authorities are bewildered as to how to respond to a `commando training programme' conducted by a retired army official which is now sought to be passed off as "an effort to train suicide squads to fight Pakistani terrorists".

Police officials involved in investigating one such camp which concluded here on Wednesday feel that "this could be a publicity stunt'' because "the key to forming suicide squads is secrecy.'' The 10-day camp was organised at Badlapur, near Ambernath, an industrial town close to Mumbai by Jayant Chitale, a former Army General, police said. It was no different from the ones conducted near Pune since 1996 to prepare youngsters for tests to join the Army.

At this camp, however, certificates were issued to the young men — their number being estimated variously from 29 to 45 — saying they were now part of the Hindustani Atmagathaki Pathak (suicide squads) and they signed a pledge that they would sacrifice their lives for protecting the country. It is said that the boys who signed up include Christians and Muslims as well.

Though P.N. Hoon, a retired Army official with links to the Shiv Sena claims that the effort at raising these camps was part of the Sena's work, the party has said it is not so.

Police, who have been asked to act if there was anything illegal, are baffled: should the use of air pistols and airguns be taken cognisance of? Airguns and rifles need no licence. A police source told The Hindu ``we intend to seize only the swords'' and "continue investigations".

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