Disaster in the making as Maharashtra's fails to fill key anti-Maoist posts

After considerable gains against the Maoist insurgents over the last couple of years, things in Maharashtra may be on the verge of slipping. Critical posts, dealing with the anti-Maoist struggle, in the state police remain vacant for over a year leading to a leadership vacuum. Positions like Inspector General of Police (Anti Naxal Operations), Deputy Inspector General of Police (Gadchiroli range) and Superintendent of Police Special Action Group (SAG) have no full time officers assigned. In addition, even the post of Principal of the Unconventional Operations Training Centre (UOTC) where Maharashtra Police personnel train before induction into insurgency-affected regions has only been filled recently after remaining vacant for months on end.

Maharashtra's Missing Cops
No full-time Inspector General of Police (Anti Naxal Operations) since February 2014
No full-time Deputy Inspector General for Gadchiroli range since February 2014
No full-time Superintendent of Police (SP) Special Action Group (SAG) since June 2015
Chair of the Principal of training institute, UOTC was vacant from December 2014 till middle of July 2015. Has been filled only recently.

These charges are being held on additional charge basis by officers holding positions in the Nagpur police administration which is headquartered 170km away from the affected Gadchiroli.

Those on the ground say this lack of leadership is demoralizing and may end up providing to the Maoists a breathing space. What is important to note is that the Maoists have stated their aim is to now 'preserve' their battle against the might of India which has been unleashed against them since the second half of the last decade. Interestingly, while the officers at the top are missing, other officers and men at the lower level are adequately staffed.

The state police is directly under the control of the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the Home portfolio. A response was sought from the CM but none was received.

Recently released Union Home Ministry data recorded 27 'incidents' till June 30 this year in which eight civilians and two security personnel were killed. Also 15 Maoists were arrested however not one Maoist insurgent was killed by the police, an admission which many believe is an indication of the dismal state of affairs. "I don't particularly agree with that death figure being an indicator however, this is a serious development which needs to be addressed," said an officer.

When asked, Maharashtra's Director General of Police (DGP) Sanjeev Dayal said, "Yes, I agree they shouldn't be left vacant. We are actively considering filling them up and it will be done soon." When asked for a cause and the impact on the ground situation, he replied, "Things are going very well in Gadchiroli." However, his officers did not share the optimism. "The reluctance among police officers to go to such places is not new. For nearly a year these posts are vacant. DGP can do what he wants and officers who don't wish to go simply seek assistance from politicians," said an officer. In Gadchiroli, the local Superintendent of Police, Sandip Patil said, "My seniors who hold additional charges are experienced officers who have worked here and thus we have a perfectly fine system," he said. However an officer with the experience of having served in Gadchiroli questioned this optimism, he said, "If these posts are so insignificant that all is working well in their not being filled, the govt might as well abolish them and save revenue."

Since the late 1980s, when the erstwhile People's War migrated out of united Andhra Pradesh in search of safer pastures, the contiguous forest cover provided by Gadchiroli, Gondia and Chandrapur districts of Maharashtra was an attraction for the insurgents. Traditionally, Maoists have used these areas for rest, recuperation and recruitment as well as to launch attack in the neighbouring Bastar region in south Chhattisgarh. Seldom have they waged their battle with the intensity matching that in Chhattisgarh or Andhra Pradesh.

Maharastra's two districts of Gadchiroli and Gondia, at its eastern most fringe, rank among the affected districts. While the former has been a long-standing history, the latter is relatively quieter.

EXPERT OPINION BY AJAI SAHNI, INSTITUTE OF CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
Lapsing into complacency is what it is. What the situation there may have improved but it can't be called peaceful. Plus it borders the most volatile and unstable region in Chhattisgarh. You can not let your guard down. Fact that no officer is posted or wants to be posted tells you this area is far from stable. If seniors are absent, resentment will creep in. Men will say we are being pushed in and over time operational decline will set in.

MAHARASHTRA: MAOIST VIOLENCE FROM 2012 TILL JUNE 2015
34 security personnel killed
40 Maoists killed
62 civilians killed since
149 Maoists arrested

(Follow the writer on Twitter @JRPUR)