In a bid to ensure unhindered aerial surveillance, provide emergency medical assistance and food and ferry injured jawans in naxal areas, the Maharashtra government has given an extension of one year for the use of a rented helicopter of a Mumbai-based private company. The extension period ends in May 2022, said a government official. This year, the police in Maharashtra have killed 22 naxals.
"A helicopter was taken on rent by the government for the police in 2016. Once the agreement expired, after the approval from the Finance Department, periodical extension to use the helicopter service was being done. The government had purchased a helicopter from a Germany-based manufacturing company. Till the said helicopter is functional for use, the government has given a one-year extension to use the rented helicopter primarily for Gadchiroli," said a Home Department official.
"A helicopter is very useful in naxal-affected areas. Especially for aerial surveillance. The government has taken the right decision to give extension for the use of a rented helicopter so that our operations in naxal areas do not suffer," said a state police officer.
Last month, the police gunned down 13 naxals, including seven women, at Kotmi forest in the Etapalli tehsil of Gadchiroli district, during a major anti-naxal operation. Many of these naxals were senior cadres of Kasansur Dalam and were carrying rewards totalling Rs 60 lakh on their heads by the government.
