Saumitra Bose,The Times of India
Despite his boyish look, Gadchiroli superintendent of police Mohd Suvez Haque, 35, led the force into the jungle against Naxalites.
A BE in chemical engineering from Raipur, Haque then went on become an officer of Indian Police Service of 2005 batch. He was SP in Gondia district, also a Naxal-affected district, before taking up the reins in Gadchiroli last year. Haque, who also holds a master's degree in police management, has been instrumental in the major comeback made by the security forces in Gadchiroli after the debacles of 2009 when 51 police personnel were eliminated by the rebels. This year, police eliminated 17 Naxals and Haque was instrumental in surrender of around 33 former guerrillas.
Q. What are the factors that contributed towards the cops' recent highs against the Naxalites, both in encounters and the social initiatives?
A. We focused on the 3 Js - jawan, jungle (warfare) and janata (public) in a big way. The policy of aggressive action along with sensitive and sensible approach towards the public not only boosted our morale but also brought us good results. We also got unconditional support from all quarters.
Q. What were the hurdles you had to overcome?
A. Lack of infrastructure, especially the roads in remote areas and lack of mobile connectivity, were major obstacles. We had to walk for several kilometres. Such futile exertion resulted in exhaustion, draining of energies and loss of precious time. The lack of mobile connectivity compelled us to rely on human intelligence. The apathy of some government departments towards our genuine demands is appalling. The 'grambhets' (meeting the villagers) too are not taken with seriousness by them.Q. How did you tackle allegations of collateral damage? A. We always practice a lot of patience when civilians are in proximity with Naxalites. It is only when we come under fire that we are forced to shoot back in self-defence. Our personnel have had to sacrifice their lives to save civilians. The Naxalites have been craftily using villagers and local tribals as 'human shields'. Police never resort to such reckless tactics. The best policy to tackle the collateral damages is to remain open, transparent and fair.
Q. What made you initiate the drive of 'Navjeevan' for boosting surrenders? Why aren't senior cadres surrendering?
A. Naxalites visit their families often. Hence, I thought of convincing the families to bring the member to us and assuring them that they would not be harmed. In addition, we wanted to create an escape route for those who genuinely want to leave Naxalism. Senior cadres may not surrender as they are the brain behind the movement. They are enjoying good life even in jungles and don't have to undergo any hardships like their common cadres. Families of many senior cadres live in metropolitan cities and their children are getting convent education whereas the families of the poor tribal cadres are left shattered after they join the movement.
Q. Despite your successes, Maharashtra state committee chief of Naxal operations Milind Teltumbde has still remained elusive.
A. Milind or Deepak is a hard-core Naxalite. Bringing them back to mainstream through projects like Navjeevan is difficult. Concerted strong action in the jungle is the solution. We are hopeful that he won't remain elusive for long.
Q. Naxal front organizations and sympathizers have been constantly trying to blunt out the forces' efforts in unarmed conflicts.
A. That is what these so-called front organizations and sympathizers are supposed to do. We are not breaking the law while doing our job. Since we are transparent there is nothing to worry.
Q. Naxal sympathizers alleged that you are carrying out low-intensity warfare with schemes like 'Navjeevan'.
A. The wars, whether of low or high intensity, are fought with weapons not gifts or by respecting the families of the Naxalites. We don't believe in any low intensity warfare but in active engagement with the Naxalites in the jungles. If Naxalites don't leave the path of violence, then a bullet will be replied with bullet only. But if they want to lay down arms, they are welcome.
Q. You have launched 'Aapla Maharashtra' to expose poor tribal students to the development and glare of the progressive western Maharashtra. Was this to expose the tribal children to the riches to brainwash them or it was really an effort to motivate them?
A. The scheme was launched to make the poor tribal children aware of developments in the rest of Maharashtra so that they can carry the flame of development in their area. One can see the change in their attitudes and confidence after they have returned. They can become the angels of development for their villages where development is a distant word. There is no hidden agenda behind it. Q. You have been serving in Naxal affected regions for the third consecutive term. Are you now looking forward to a more lucrative posting elsewhere in Maharashtra?
A. In police, there is nothing like an 'easy assignment' and 'lucrative posting'. Policing is a job in which one has to perform under stressful and challenging conditions. It may be law and order, major crime, terrorism, Naxalism, communalism and so on and so forth. All assignments are challenging, be it in eastern or western Maharashtra. As far as the term 'lucrative posting' is concerned, all of us get equal salaries. In fact, I get a 50% higher salary as Naxal area allowance here. Serving in the Gondia and Chandrapur districts and finally now in Gadchiroli has been immensely satisfying to me.
 |
| Dantewada a house is checked for a suspected Maoist:Outlook |
Despite his boyish look, Gadchiroli superintendent of police Mohd Suvez Haque, 35, led the force into the jungle against Naxalites.
A BE in chemical engineering from Raipur, Haque then went on become an officer of Indian Police Service of 2005 batch. He was SP in Gondia district, also a Naxal-affected district, before taking up the reins in Gadchiroli last year. Haque, who also holds a master's degree in police management, has been instrumental in the major comeback made by the security forces in Gadchiroli after the debacles of 2009 when 51 police personnel were eliminated by the rebels. This year, police eliminated 17 Naxals and Haque was instrumental in surrender of around 33 former guerrillas.
Q. What are the factors that contributed towards the cops' recent highs against the Naxalites, both in encounters and the social initiatives?
A. We focused on the 3 Js - jawan, jungle (warfare) and janata (public) in a big way. The policy of aggressive action along with sensitive and sensible approach towards the public not only boosted our morale but also brought us good results. We also got unconditional support from all quarters.
Q. What were the hurdles you had to overcome?
A. Lack of infrastructure, especially the roads in remote areas and lack of mobile connectivity, were major obstacles. We had to walk for several kilometres. Such futile exertion resulted in exhaustion, draining of energies and loss of precious time. The lack of mobile connectivity compelled us to rely on human intelligence. The apathy of some government departments towards our genuine demands is appalling. The 'grambhets' (meeting the villagers) too are not taken with seriousness by them.Q. How did you tackle allegations of collateral damage? A. We always practice a lot of patience when civilians are in proximity with Naxalites. It is only when we come under fire that we are forced to shoot back in self-defence. Our personnel have had to sacrifice their lives to save civilians. The Naxalites have been craftily using villagers and local tribals as 'human shields'. Police never resort to such reckless tactics. The best policy to tackle the collateral damages is to remain open, transparent and fair.
 |
| Security forces during a combing operation in Dantewada:Outlook |
Q. What made you initiate the drive of 'Navjeevan' for boosting surrenders? Why aren't senior cadres surrendering?
A. Naxalites visit their families often. Hence, I thought of convincing the families to bring the member to us and assuring them that they would not be harmed. In addition, we wanted to create an escape route for those who genuinely want to leave Naxalism. Senior cadres may not surrender as they are the brain behind the movement. They are enjoying good life even in jungles and don't have to undergo any hardships like their common cadres. Families of many senior cadres live in metropolitan cities and their children are getting convent education whereas the families of the poor tribal cadres are left shattered after they join the movement.
Q. Despite your successes, Maharashtra state committee chief of Naxal operations Milind Teltumbde has still remained elusive.
A. Milind or Deepak is a hard-core Naxalite. Bringing them back to mainstream through projects like Navjeevan is difficult. Concerted strong action in the jungle is the solution. We are hopeful that he won't remain elusive for long.
Q. Naxal front organizations and sympathizers have been constantly trying to blunt out the forces' efforts in unarmed conflicts.
A. That is what these so-called front organizations and sympathizers are supposed to do. We are not breaking the law while doing our job. Since we are transparent there is nothing to worry.
 |
| Locals pledge support to Maoists in the jungles of Bastar:Outlook |
A. The wars, whether of low or high intensity, are fought with weapons not gifts or by respecting the families of the Naxalites. We don't believe in any low intensity warfare but in active engagement with the Naxalites in the jungles. If Naxalites don't leave the path of violence, then a bullet will be replied with bullet only. But if they want to lay down arms, they are welcome.
Q. You have launched 'Aapla Maharashtra' to expose poor tribal students to the development and glare of the progressive western Maharashtra. Was this to expose the tribal children to the riches to brainwash them or it was really an effort to motivate them?
A. The scheme was launched to make the poor tribal children aware of developments in the rest of Maharashtra so that they can carry the flame of development in their area. One can see the change in their attitudes and confidence after they have returned. They can become the angels of development for their villages where development is a distant word. There is no hidden agenda behind it. Q. You have been serving in Naxal affected regions for the third consecutive term. Are you now looking forward to a more lucrative posting elsewhere in Maharashtra?
A. In police, there is nothing like an 'easy assignment' and 'lucrative posting'. Policing is a job in which one has to perform under stressful and challenging conditions. It may be law and order, major crime, terrorism, Naxalism, communalism and so on and so forth. All assignments are challenging, be it in eastern or western Maharashtra. As far as the term 'lucrative posting' is concerned, all of us get equal salaries. In fact, I get a 50% higher salary as Naxal area allowance here. Serving in the Gondia and Chandrapur districts and finally now in Gadchiroli has been immensely satisfying to me.
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