ONI Bureau: While 9 CRPF personnel were martyred in an ambush laid by the Maoists in Kistaram forest of Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district despite travelling in an anti-landmine vehicle, Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda expressed concerns and called for alternatives to deal with the situation.
“If it was indeed an anti-landline vehicle, then alternatives must now be thought of. So far air power not used because of stigma against using air force-army against citizens. But there is nothing to say paramilitary/police can’t get attack (not just transport) helicopters”, he tweeted.
The MP believes that it’s high time the Home Ministry considers strengthening the capabilities of the security personnel against guerrilla warfare by providing them fighter choppers.