India: In a major move highlighting the state’s financial stress, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the Central government to waive ₹13,299.69 crore in dues linked to the deployment of CRPF personnel for anti-Naxal operations in the state.
In his letter, CM Soren emphasized that tackling Naxalism is a joint responsibility of both the Centre and the state. He stated that expecting Jharkhand to bear such a massive financial burden could severely hamper the implementation of key welfare and development schemes.
“It is the joint responsibility of the Centre and the state to eliminate extremism. I request the complete waiver of pending dues related to the deployment of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for anti-Naxal operations,” said the CM in his letter.
The letter, sent on Friday evening, also pointed out the heavy toll such operations have taken on the state’s police force. “Over 400 police personnel have lost their lives in the line of duty since Jharkhand’s formation,” Soren noted, underscoring the state’s long battle with left-wing extremism.
Highlighting the financial crunch, Soren said, “After the COVID-19 pandemic, the state has been focusing on economic recovery, disaster management, and various welfare programs. But limited resources have pushed Jharkhand into financial distress.”
He further added that despite limited means, the state government has actively collaborated with CRPF and successfully reduced Naxal activities in various regions.
Backing this claim, the Jharkhand Police recently confirmed that a large-scale manhunt is underway to nab 55 hardcore Naxalites, including top CPI (Maoist) commanders. The cumulative bounty on these extremists stands at a whopping ₹8.45 crore.
Security agencies have been conducting intensive operations across the state. In the past six months alone:
197 Maoists have been arrested
10 have surrendered
17 were neutralised in encounters
This data reflects the state’s serious and ongoing efforts to combat left-wing extremism.
Soren concluded the letter by urging the Union government to show a “positive attitude and cooperative federalism” in this matter.