Naxals learning child recruitment from LTTE: Chhattisgarh Chief

(December 16, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Naxals, a terrorist outfit in India, are said to be taking lessons from the LTTE on the use of child soldiers, according to Indian media reports.

This outfit seems to have set up specialized, small fighting units comprising of minors, many of whom have been "kidnapped or forcibly recruited", Chhattisgarh Director General of Police Vishwaranjan told PTI, an Indian based news agency.

"Yes, it is a fact that the Naxals have created specialized units consisting of minors. Children are more prone to brainwashing than grown-ups and that is the primary reason as to why minors are targeted," he said.

He said while children were being recruited earlier too, these units consist of minors are very young and in the age group of 8 to 13. "Most of the children are forcibly recruited while many are kidnapped. Naxals adopted this strategy after the tribals started resisting them as they were attacking their way of life and culture," the DGP said.

"All units and arms of the Naxals stand banned. Such strategies being adopted by them are nothing but their desperation to garner support which is now on the wane," the DGP said.
- Sri Lanka Guardian