Bhubaneswar, Oct 07: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday requested the centre not to withdraw the central forces and a dedicated helicopter to fight the naxal menace in the state.
Participating in the meeting convened by Union Home Minister on left wing extremism at New Delhi, the Chief Minister requested to send at least 12 Coys of CAPF for a period of 2 years, to be deployed in LWE affected areas, to prevent infiltration, and eradicate LWE from Odisha, in a time bound manner.
“With large scale induction of security forces, anti-Naxal operations are picking up in Chhattisgarh. In such a situation, there is reasonable apprehension of possible movement of LWE cadres, from Chhattisgarh to Odisha, and their possible relocation inside Odisha,” he informed.
To counter them, Odisha government has raised 3 Battalions of ex-servicemen OSSF (Odisha Special Striking Force). Vacancies in other ranks of police are also being filled up in a time-bound manner.
“However, till the recruited forces are deployed on the ground, there is a pressing need, for effective area domination, to check infiltration from Chhattisgarh, and to augment intelligence-based operations. In the current scenario, I request you, not to withdraw the Central Forces, till the induction process is complete,” the Chief Minister said.
He said uninterrupted helicopter service is a critical requirement for the security forces and movement of troops, maintenance of forward posts, and to respond to the exigencies, in the LWE theatre of conflict.
“Real-time technical support of specialized technical agencies of the Union Government, to further improve operational capabilities of Special Forces, and overall operational effectiveness, will be a performance multiplier for the Security Forces, engaged in anti-Naxal operations. I would like to request the Union Government to assist us in this direction,” Majhi said.
Besides the above, benefits under Dharitri Aabba Janjatiya Utkarsha Gram Abhiyan, will also be extended in the LWE affected areas.
A new Yojana called Gramodaya is being launched converging more than 40 schemes to cover all the villages situated in the LWE affected areas with basic infrastructure and services. This will help in improving the social economic condition of the people residing and such areas.
“This scheme will be implemented in due earnest, covering all the eligible beneficiaries with an objective of reaching the last mile,” the Chief Minister said.
