Army to plan Maoist ops

The Indian Army has agreed to depute some officers of the rank of brigadier and colonel to the Union home ministry to act as military advisers for anti-Naxalite operations and strategy in different states, defence sources confirmed.

The Army agreed to this after refusing to depute major-generals, as it felt officers of such high rank were not needed for such a job.

“The Army has agreed to send brigadiers and colonels as advisers. The home ministry had earlier asked for major-generals, but the Army declined on the ground that major-generals would be too senior for such a task. In any

case, colonels are the cutting edge of the Army and have the maximum field experience in leading counter-insurgency operations and are just right for the job,” a defence source said. “We are waiting for the home ministry to spell out the exact number of officers needed as advisers,” the source added.

Delhi on high terror alert

An alert was issued for the national capital and the areas falling within the National Capital Region by the Union home ministry on Saturday following fresh advisories issued by the US, UK and Australia warning of “imminent” terror strikes in Delhi.

The home ministry, however, stressed there is no need to panic and that “it is aware of terror threats which are not specific to Delhi”. The home ministry said an alert has been issued for Jammu and Kashmir too on the basis of intelligence inputs regarding the designs of terrorist outfits to strike over the weekend.

The Delhi Police, in response to the advisories and the alert issued by the home ministry, said it was taking “appropriate measures” to prevent any terror strikes.

The US embassy said on its website: “Terrorists have targeted places in the past where US citizens or Westerners are known to visit. Markets, such as those located in Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place, Greater Kailash, Karol Bagh, Mehrauli, and Sarojini Nagar, can be especially attractive targets for terrorist groups.” In a similar advisory, the UK government said, “There are increased indications that terrorists are planning attacks in New Delhi.” The Australian advisory said, “Reliable reporting indicates that terrorists may be planning to attack markets in New Delhi.”

 

Manmohan rejects Chidambaram's resignation offer

Home Minister P. Chidambaram offered to quit his post in the wake of the Dantewada massacre by naxals, but Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday rejected his resignation offer.

Taking full responsibility, Mr. Chidambaram said that the buck stopped at his desk with regard to the Tuesday’s naxal attack.

“The Home Minister wrote to the Prime Minister the day before yesterday, offering to step down. The Prime Minister rejected it,” a PMO spokesman said.

Speaking at a CRPF function here, Mr. Chidambaram said, “I have been asked directly or indirectly where the buck stops for what happened in Dantewada. I have no hesitation saying the buck stops at my desk.

“I accept full responsibility for what happened in Dantewada. Immediately on my return from Chhattisgarh, I called on the Prime Minister and gave it in writing that I accept full responsibility for what happened and I think I will stop there,” he said.

Declining to go any further, he said, “Let me not elaborate. I am proud of the CRPF.” 75 personnel from CRPF’s 62nd Battalion and one Chhattisgarh policeman were killed in an ambush by the Maoists in Dantewada.

During a visit to naxal stronghold of Lalgarh in West Bengal on April 4, Chidambaram had said he had told Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee that the “buck stops” with him on ending political violence in the State.

Upset over the remark, the Chief Minister had said this was not the language used by politicians and that he will do his job and the Home Minister should do his.