With reports of Naxalites moving to new areas, a decision was taken at the Task Force meeting on Tuesday to deploy sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in affected states to gather more information about their hideouts and camps. So far it has been used only at Dantewada in Chhattisgarh, which is one of the districts worst affected by Left wing extremism.

The UAV which is currently in use has been imported from Israel and hired from the Air Force. Sources said that it would be used to scan the area over selected pockets in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Jharkhand and later extended to other states.

Senior police officials from nine affected states attended the meeting on Naxalism at North Block.

The meet was chaired by Additional Home Secretary Vinay Kumar. The Centre has warned the states to be prepared to face a renewed onslaught by Naxalites in the current year since there were intelligence reports indicating that the extremists were preparing to attack.

Two days ago, explosives weighing 1,500 kg were confiscated by the CRPF at Chhattisgarh. Earlier in Bhopal, crude equipment used in manufacturing rockets were recovered. About 40 Naxals, who have been interrogated in the last months, have also revealed details regarding attempts to fabricate grenade launchers and other firearms indigenously.

Reports also suggest that Left-wing extremists have been focusing on urban areas and recruiting fresh cadre. “West Bengal and Haryana could be new targets for them. The uproar on the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and the resulting disappointment of the people could prove to be a fertile ground for the spread of the Naxal influence. States will have to remain vigilant,” said an official who attended the meeting. He also said that efforts would be on to nab Naxal leaders in future operations.

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