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Resource crunch? Centre says no exclusive wing for CRPF
Backtracking on its earlier decision, the Centre has refused permission to the CRPF for creation of an exclusive intelligence wing for its troops deployed in operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East. Instead, the Centre has asked the world’s largest para-military force to restrict itself to setting up the intelligence wing to deal with just the Naxal-affected hotbeds.
The Centre had in 2009 approved the CRPF’s plans to set up the 1,248-member strong exclusive intelligence wing for assisting its troops in J&K, North-East and extremist-affected areas. However, according to official sources, the force has now been asked to raise the wing only for anti-Naxal operations and leave out the two other theatres where it is engaged. “Resource crunch is said to be the primary reason for the refusal,” sources said.
The nod after two years for a truncated set up comes even as the intelligence network earlier approved could not be operationalised so far.
The force lost about 120 personnel in ambushes, IED explosions and gunfights in the last year and the intelligence wing is expected to give operational edge over the Maoists.
While in Jammu and Kashmir the force has deployed close to 69,000 personnel (70 battalions) for counter-insurgency operations and providing security to VVIPs and vital installations, in North East it has deployed 34 battalions to perform counter-insurgency and road opening duties to public and official convoys on the highways. In J&K and NE, the CRPF depends on Central intelligence agencies and the BSF.
The CRPF has deployed 60 battalions (60,000 troops) for anti-Naxal operations and has been pressing for setting up an exclusive intelligence wing for undertaking quality operations against the ultras. The elite Cobra Battalions engaged in anti-Naxal operations take use of their skeleton detachments for gathering intelligence. And this has been raised with the internal resources of the paramilitary force, sources said.
"The exclusive intelligence wing for the CRPF is absolutely essential. After it was first mooted in 2005, the unit got formal sanction in 2009. After last year's deadly ambush in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada where 75 men were killed by Naxals, the force fast-paced the deployment of the wing by training its men and undertaking various special courses for them on the lines of other such agencies," CRPF sources said.
Successive CRPF Director Generals have underlined the need for the on-ground deployment of this unit but various issues like getting timely sanctions have held back the full-fledged roll out of the wing.
The intelligence wing for anti-Naxal operations when operationalised will now have 500 personnel.
A number of CRPF personnel have already undergone training with the existing intelligence training institutes of the Intelligence Bureau and the Border Security Force. A few officers have also been shortlisted for training with the Scotland Yard police, the sources added.
