Jamshedpur, May 15: The special branch, till now confined to activities like gathering intelligence, would play a key role in fighting the Naxalite menace soon after its expansion.

The decision to expand the special branch was taken by the Cabinet about a week back to address the Naxalite-related problems. A notification has already been issued in this regard.

After expansion, the special branch would have additional departments like striking wing, intelligence wing, operation wing and commando wing.

According to sources, the special branch is being expanded in view of the growing need of specialised policing in the areas earmarked as extremist-infested. Requesting anonymity, the source said the process of expansion had begun and the first phase of the expansion programme would be over by the end of 2006.

Expansion programme over, the sources said, the special branch would engage itself in combating criminals as well as extremists.

?The personnel to be inducted into the special branch will be imparted various kinds of training, including how to handle sophisticated firearms,? said the additional director-general of police (special branch) G.S. Rath.

Rath said it was felt that the police personnel inducted in the special branch on deputation required specialisation in their respective fields.

Moreover, as the special branch was being considered as a department having no incentive for the policemen, the police top-brass took a serious note of the existing condition of the department and decided to expand it.

Informing that the expansion programme would be carried out on phases, the ADG said several new posts would be created in the special branch, ranging from the assistant sub-inspector of police to additional inspector-general of police. If required, more police officials would be recruited to make the special branch a viable unit on all fronts, he said.

He also said the personnel inducted in the department would be given adequate incentives. Those on field duty would be given additional 40 per cent of their basic as incentive and those on official duty would get 20 per cent of the basic extra.

After a notification was issued, applications for joining the special branch started pouring in. Significantly, both the younger officials as well as those on the brink of retirement have shown interest in joining the special branch.

?I am interested to join the special branch because I can expect a promotion quicker there,? said a sub-inpsector willing to shift to the special branch.