Border Security Force (BSF) will be deployed in Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh. In the first phase, 5,500 personnel of BSF, guarding the Indo-Pak border in Rajasthan and some north-eastern areas along the international border will be sent to curb the Naxal menace there.
Sources said an order regarding this was issued by the Union home ministry recently. "Following the order, all the arrangements regarding the deputation of 5,500 personnel from border areas falling under Rajasthan and north-eastern states have been made," said a senior BSF officer. He added that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had been deployed to control Naxal activities. "They were not able to control it very well, so the Union home ministry has decided to depute BSF personnel in Chhattisgarh," said the officer. Confirming this, DG (BSF), M L Kumawat, said it is not for the first time that the BSF personnel are being deputed in Naxal-affected areas. "In Andhra Pradesh, the BSF successfully worked to tackle the problem. Similarly, BSF played a vital role in coping with the problem in West Bengal," said Kumawat. Sources said that the battalions which are being deputed in Chhattisgarh include Battalion-62 of Bikaner Sector, Battalion-163 from Barmer Frontier, Battalion 200 from South Bengal Frontier in north-east sector, Battalion-31 and 41 from Tripura Frontier. There are a total of five battalions which are to be deputed in Chhattisgarh. Sources added that the deputation process for these battalions will begin soon. Sources added, in the first phase, personnel of the five battalions who will be sent to Chattisgarh will be relieved from their duty. More BSF personnel might be sent there in the next phase. "The vacancies at the international border will be filled by BSF personnel from training companies," sources said. TNN 22 July 2009
