MANGALORE: The Anti-Naxalite Force set up by the State Government to deal with naxalites in Malnad will not be proactive when it comes to the use of force, Director-General and Inspector-General of Police Bhupendra Singh Sial has said. It will, however, be proactive in gathering intelligence about youths who are likely to join naxalite organisations, he added.

In an informal chat with The Hindu after reviewing the situation in naxalite-affected areas of the State here on Tuesday, Mr. Sial said the Anti-Naxalite Force will mostly react. "You can't attack a person or arrest him unless he has done something illegal. It is only when they do something that we can react appropriately."

"We will deploy our officers and men in the field. Their very presence will serve as a deterrent to anti-social elements. Even if they do not take any action, their movement and presence in naxalite-infested forests will serve the purpose," he said.

Interaction

Noting that policemen are interacting with villagers in these areas, Mr. Sial said the very fact that the intelligence machinery has been fully geared up is an indication of the role being played by the Anti-Naxalite Force. Besides, the revenue authorities too have initiated mass contact programmes to create awareness about job opportunities among youths in the area, he added.

"It is our endeavour to guide the youth and dissuade fence sitters from joining naxalism. The programme will target those youth who have not been indoctrinated in the naxalite ideology. We do not want to use force and kill innocent youths in the bargain," he said.

Asked about Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh dropping hints that the State will enact a law to deal with banned organisations on the lines of Unlawful Activities Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2004, Mr. Singh said the Central Act gives police enough powers to deal with any sort of terrorist organisation.

The Act deals with any terrorist activity that involves use of firearms and explosives and extortion by threatening people and organisations in a professional manner, including naxalites, he noted.

The State will examine if more teeth needs to be added to the Central Act by way of State legislation as is the case in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Mr. Sial said that if asked by the Government, the police will examine the laws in these States and send a proposal.

Noting that 32 organisations have been banned under the existing Act, Mr. Sial said that when it was enacted, the CPI-ML and naxalites were operating separately.

It is only now that they have come together.

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