M F AHMAD
Daltonganj, Jan 27: Sanjay Anand Lathkar, the Additional Director General of Police (operations) Jharkhand, who is a 1995 batch IPS officer and the President’s Medal awardee this Republic Day for distinguished service, spoke at length on a variety of episodes that have happened in the past few weeks in the state.
In an interview with Lagatar24.com correspondent, Lathkar talked about the situation of naxalism in the state in detail. Except:
Q: In the hours leading up to Republic Day, police had an encounter with the Maoists with a heavy weight contingent allegedly led by Barka Da in Bokaro district. How do you see it?
A: The Maoists were well replied by our troops. Their strategy and plan went awry. The Maoists intended to reclaim Lugu Pahar but were unable to do so. We received crystal-clear intelligence concerning their presence. We shall never give them an opportunity to possess this Lugu Pahar.
Q: Enough social ferment erupted in the Kolhan region where tribals and police clashed over the Kolhan Government Estate. What is all this about?
A : The poor tribals’ naïve sympathies were fuelled by some lumpen elements there. These elements promised them the moon.
Q: It is said that one fellow, who was in the central para military force earlier, was executing things in this Kolhan Government Estate. Is this true?
A: There was definitely one such individual. This man had deserted his battalion. He is currently absconding. According to his account, the Estate’s functionaries offered him a monthly pay of Rs. 1 lakh and he hopped on board because he would be earning twice as much as he did when he was in the job and in the battalion.
Q: The unrest or stir in this chapter of the Kolhan Government Estate is not remotely akin to revolt, rebellion, insurgency, or secession, but rather a byproduct of long-term unemployment and a disregard for the tribal method of governing. What’s your take on it?
A : You have made a valid point. There was no segregation, no revolt, and no rebellion. Some people there scammed them out of their innocence by playing with their emotions. There isn’t a trace of pathalgari or anything like that. There was nothing at all. Paisa kamane ke liye ye sab kiya gaya.
Q: It is reported with confidence that civil and police officials were aware of the Estate activities going on there for a month or so, but they didn’t intervene, resulting in the horrific scene of the tribal and police battle.
A: This is what I’ve been told. I’ll make every effort to learn how it all got out of hand, and why, if such activities had been going on for a long time as you claim, no legal authority intervened.
Q: Two of your cops were slain by the extremists protecting a former MLA recently. How did this happen?
A: It could have been avoided if everyone there had responded sensibly and promptly as police had consistently advised.
Q: Is there a comeback of naxalism in Jharkhand?
A: No, not at all. There is no comeback. The naxals have been pushed to the wall.
Q: Naxals have begun to rear their heads from Lohardaga to Giridih to Bokaro to Chaibasa. Do you agree or disagree?
A: For the first time in the history of left-wing extremism, a prominent figure has been apprehended and imprisoned. Prashant Bose and his small coterie are in the jail. It’s enough to make people outraged and furious. They stage random incidents to demonstrate their presence.
Q: You once mentioned that it breaks your heart to see a villager become a victim in the forests as a result of a Maoist-detonated IED. Do you have to add anything to it?
A : Yes, it makes me sad and my heart hurts terribly. No villager who travels to the jungles in search of some little forest produce to sustain himself or his family deserves to die a horrible death as a result of the Maoists’ booby trap. Nothing could be more of a cowardice act by Maoists than this.
Q: There are still some hinterlands here in Jharkhand where the Maoists are trying hard to establish their dominance. Do you agree?
A: There are a few pockets where we need to have more penetrative presence and action against the naxals. These pockets are in the Chaibasa region. We have controlled and contained Saranda. Jhumra Pahar and Parasnath are also the regions from where the naxals have been driven out.
Q: Does the state naxal surrender policy package really works the way it was designed?
A: The state surrender policy package in Jharkhand is extremely advantageous and appealing. Take a look at Pramanik’s surrender. It sends a powerful message. The naxals are having difficulty recruiting men and women to join them. Their recruitment is at an all-time low. Previously, boys between the ages of 10 and 12 were enticed into the fold. But the scenario has changed now. The average impoverished people’s faith in the naxals is eroding.
