BHUBANESWAR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating the threat of red terrorism by 2026. In light of this, Odisha requested 12 companies of central forces and a helicopter on Monday, October 7 to enhance its anti-Maoist operations.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who participated in a crucial meeting of the states that are affected by Maoism chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, stated that the Odisha government has requested the Union Government to provide 12 companies of security personnel and one helicopter to enhance the fight against Maoists.
The state has requested adequate assistance from the Centre for developmental projects, including road construction. Additionally, support has been sought to improve mobile connectivity and banking services in remote areas of the state.
As part of the efforts to combat the naxal menace, Majhi emphasised the importance of enhancing security along the borders with Chhattisgarh. He noted that special attention is being directed towards preventing the influx of rebels from the neighboring state who may attempt to establish temporary bases in Odisha.
In addition to Odisha, Chief Ministers and Home Ministers from other Maoist affected states, including Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, were also invited to participate in this crucial meeting.
According to CMO, The Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi put the following for urgent attention of the Centre :
1. With the large-scale induction of security forces, anti-naxal operations are picking up in Chhattisgarh. In such a situation, there is a reasonable apprehension of the possible movement of LWE cadres from Chhattisgarh and their possible relocation inside Odisha.
To counter them, the 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. Also, may I request you, to send at least 12 companies of CAPF for 2 years, to be deployed in LWE-affected areas, to prevent infiltration, and eradicate LWE from Odisha, in a time-bound manner,” he said.
2. 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. A dedicated helicopter may please be provided to the State.
3. Real-time technical support of specialized technical agencies of the Union Government, to further improve the 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.
4. A list of 127 vital roads in LWE affected areas, has been submitted, to the Government of India, vide Home Department letter No. 902/C, dated 6th July 2024. These road projects, will considerably augment, connectivity in these areas, and will also facilitate effective operations, by Security Forces against the Naxals. This may please be considered, at the earliest.
5. To ensure public welfare schemes, and basic facilities, are provided in saturation mode in LWE-affected villages, to build mutual trust between the Government-Administration and the general public, and to uplift and transform, the socio-economic landscape of Naxal-affected areas, several developmental schemes, are being implemented
After the meeting, CM Majhi spoke to the media, stating, “Today, the Centre assured us that all necessary infrastructure will be provided. Odisha is facing left-wing extremism in ten districts that border Chhattisgarh and other states. We are focusing on strengthening our borders with Chhattisgarh due to the potential influx of rebels who may establish temporary bases here.”
