Has the lack of experienced police campaigners in the fight against Maoism become a major reason for the latter to keep moving rather unchecked? A lot of changes have taken place in Adilabad district in the field of extremism but the most crucial of them remains induction of new personnel since naxalite activity tapered off about a decade ago. Such a change however, has not taken place within Maoists and their leadership continues to remain the same as that was in 2005. The only change pertains to extremist leaders like Atram Shoban alias Charles and Mylarapu Adellu alias Bhaskar getting elevated to the ranks of Adilabad Area Committee and Divisional Committee respectively.
The regular police force manning police stations which was inducted during the 10 years of lull in Maoist activity looks rather inexperienced in terms of tackling the resurgent phenomenon. “This is the main reason why the large armed dalam is moving unchallenged in the forests,” opined a senior and experienced officer in the anti naxal force in the district.
According to the officer, who wanted to remain unnamed, a new incumbent will firstly be inclined only towards civil policing and not towards extremist activity by virtue of his training. “He will not find much use in familiarising himself with the topography of his area or cultivate locals,” he pointed out.
“The thrust of today’s “'people's friendly” police remains on target oriented collection of fines from motorcyclists and other road users for violation of the Motor Vehicles Act. Despite orders to go in for friendly relationship with locals, hardly anyone bothers doing so,” rues another anti naxal campaigner.
As Maoist experts retired during the period in question, all the police stations located in naxalite strongholds also had their importance decreasing simultaneously. For example, police stations like, Tiryani, Lingapur, Sirpur (U), Jainoor, to name a few, which once boasted of Maoist specialist police officers have become punishment postings.
Almost all the 73 police stations in the district now have Sub Inspectors belonging to 2007, 2009 and 2012 batches and constables belonging to 2009, 2011 and 2013 batches. . “Understandably, the level of alertness among newcomers will be lesser compared to the experienced lot. And tackling Maoists requires a very high degree of alertness,” police officer.
