New training centre not for combating Naxals: Army Chief

Centre urged to clarify ‘Rules of Engagement'

The Army has asked the government to finalise “Rules of Engagement” as it gets ready to open a new training facility in Chhattisgarh, but denied the move is linked to combating Naxalites in the State.

“We have deliberately stayed out of any commitment to tackle Left Wing Extremism, except for giving advice or training,” Chief of Army Staff General V.K. Singh said at the annual press conference on the eve of the Army Day.

Gen. Singh said the Army was facing problem in training its personnel as there was not enough land available and the proposal to set it up in Chhattisgarh under the Central Command forms part of an integrated plan drawn earlier.

Since the Army would be present in the area, it had sought for clarifications from the government on ‘Rules of Engagement' to determine the extent to which its personnel were protected from civil laws.

Gen. Singh said the clarification was needed to determine how to engage attackers in case of attacks on the training camp, either by instigation or design.

While it is clear that the force does not require any permission to fire in self-defence, the issue is whether resultant causalities on the attackers would attract criminal procedures against the Army personnel and to what extent they are exempt.

“We are neither operating in the area nor are seeking protection under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act,” the Army Chief said.

At the same time, he sought to make a distinction from the Indian Air Force, which had earlier sought and got permission to fire from its helicopters while on a mission to transport men and material in Naxal-infested regions of Chhattisgarh.

The IAF had asked for permission to use retaliatory fire from helicopters after one of its platforms came under attack while ferrying material for elections.

The Army has sought nearly 600 sq.km. of land in the forest area and according to sources, the Chhattisgarh government has accepted the necessity, but yet to determine the quantum of land. The sources said live firing is not part of the training which will largely concentrate on manoeuvres and other skills.