The Union Government on August 27 approved a proposal to create an exclusive anti-Naxal force - the Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA), to comprise 10 battalions (10,000 personnel) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The force, being raised to tackle the growing problem of Maoist violence, would cost Rs. 13.89 billion of which Rs. 8.98 billion would be spent on land and infrastructure while Rs. 4.91 billion would be spent on manpower training over a period of three years1.

The Maoists meanwhile blew up a police vehicle in Jharkhand’s East Singhbhum district, killing all 11 policemen, including a sub inspector, on August 292. Earlier on August 29, six CRPF personnel, including an officer, were killed in a landmine blast triggered by suspected Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s in Narayanpur district. The blast blew up the CRPF jeep, killing one sub-inspector, four constables and a driver.

• 1. “Union Government approves creation of anti-Naxal force of CRPF,” South Asia Terrorism Portal, August 28, 2008, at http://satp.org/satporgtp/detailed_news.asp?date1=8/28/2008#11
• 2. “11 policemen killed in Maoist attack,” The Hindu, August 31, 2008, at http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/31/stories/2008083157070100.htm