When SoPs Fail: Inside Jharkhand’s uneven battle against Naxals
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, September 7: Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) is the backbone of raids, searches, and offensives against Naxals. It…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, September 7: Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) is the backbone of raids, searches, and offensives against Naxals. It is meant to be followed to the last detail, and any lapse can spell disaster. Yet, even strict adherence to SoP has not always saved lives or ensured success in Jharkhand’s anti-Naxal operations.
Palamu’s longest-serving SP, Anoop T. Mathew, was known for his uncompromising adherence to SoP. But even under his leadership, tragedy struck. During a daylight encounter in Manatu, a landmine exploded barely ten feet from where he stood, killing a policeman from his search team. The blast underlined the limits of planning in the face of Naxal tactics.
Intelligence and Planning: The Weakest Links
Two pillars of SoP—intelligence gathering and operational planning—often face setbacks in Palamu. Police moles have a history of “double-cross,” leaking information to the Naxals. Delays in planning allow rebels to shift locations by miles, while hasty planning leaves forces vulnerable.
The deadly encounter in Manatu’s Keydaal village is a case in point. Two policemen were killed in a clash with the TSPC squad led by Shashikant. Reports suggest the notorious Naxal leader quickly shifted base, hiding in a maize field, ready to strike again.
Vanished Pickets, Open Corridors
The closure of two police pickets—at Dabra and Kasmar—has created fresh vulnerabilities. These posts once played a key role in containing Naxal movement: Dabra blocked routes from Satbarwa, while Kasmar pushed rebels back toward Chatra.
Now, police sources admit that a 25-km stretch between Tarhassi police station and Kasmar has no police presence at all, offering Naxals a free run.
DIG Palamu Range Naushad Alam conceded the risk:
“We understand these closures need reassessment. The TSPC has reasons to wait for its neutralisation. Our brave boys will accomplish it.”
SDPO of Lesliganj, Manoj Kumar Jha, echoed this, stressing that reintroducing Dabra and Kasmar pickets would put pressure back on the rebels.
Fragile Intelligence, Mixed Results
Police insiders describe tip-offs as a gamble: half turn out to be weak, a quarter have some credibility, and only the remaining quarter deliver actionable results. Even then, encounters often end in unpredictable “ding-dong” battles where the balance can tilt either way.
