Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police has decided to deploy High Tech Drones for Anti-Maoist Operations in Red Corridors.
Director Intelligence, Sanjeeb Panda has said that the State Police will be deploying High Tech Drones with cutting-edge features in Anti Ultra Operations.
This decision was taken at the strategy conference on Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) situation held here on 20 December.
The drones will not only help track movements of Maoists but also keep an eye on security forces conducting operations and area domination exercises in the rebel strongholds, sources said.
Gathering intelligence in Maoist-affected areas in dense forests and hilly terrains has always been a problem. Once operational, the drones will fill a critical gap in the battle against the Maoists, they said.
Besides, the drone cameras will make the job of the security personnel easier and less risky. The cameras will be used to track the Maoists in thick forest areas.
The security personnel will be imparted training for using the drone cameras which may be deployed in base camps of the security forces. From these base camps, the drone operators will be able to guide forces who are involved in the combing operations.
The cameras will help in the drone operators spotting Maoist movement quite early, sometimes in a radius of two or three km, who then alert the forces on the ground.
During the meeting it was also emphasized to strengthen the intelligence gathering mechanism and issues on modernization of police, infrastructure, building and logistics.
The Police Department has been laying stress on modernization of the police force including those involved in anti-Naxal operations.
“Our major focus is now on Kandhamal– Kalahandi and Boudh axis, which has emerged as the new flash point of Maoist activities. Eleven new company operating bases (COBs) would be set up with the help of central reserve police force and border security force in Nuapada, Kalahandi, Phulbani and Boudh,” DGP Suniil Bansal had stated.
Now, only 10 districts are treated to be LWE affected. The districts are—Bargarh, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Rayagada and Sundergarh. Earlier, 19 districts have been declared as Maoist affected.
