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New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government sought an uninterrupted helicopter service from the Centre for the security forces to address the Maoist menace in the state.
Representing Odisha on behalf of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at a national level meeting on Left Wing Extremism (LWE), chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Lat New Delhi today, Odisha Finance Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha raised a few issues that need urgent attention of the Government of India.
The Minister demanded early completion of mobile tower installation under different mobile connectivity schemes and a dedicated helicopter for uninterrupted chopper service required for the security forces for the movement of troops, maintenance of forward posts, and to respond to exigencies in the context of LWE conflict in Odisha.
At the meeting, he expressed that Left Wing Extremism is a grave internal security challenge to the nation. However, Odisha has achieved significant success in combating the LWE menace with well calibrated security response backed by focused developmental interventions and people-centric policies of the state government led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik have brought about remarkable transformation in the situation in most of the affected areas.
Arukha highlighted the measures taken by the state government against the Maoist activities.
He said that the LWE affected areas have shrunk from a high of 21 districts to limited pockets of 10 districts, intensity of violence has declined and mass support base and recruitment of local cadres to the outfit have dwindled. It is a matter of great satisfaction that the areas, which have been cleared up of extremism, have witnessed significant transformation due to pro-active developmental initiatives and people centric policies.
He spoke about the state government’s achievement at Swabhiman Anchal of Malkangiri district, which was a bastion of Maoists for decades.
The Swabhiman Anchal has been brought under complete control and dominance of security forces. The area has integrated with the socio-economic-political mainstream by remarkable progress in every sphere of development. The construction of Gurupriya Bridge and implementation of ‘SETU’ (Social Economic Transformation and Upliftment) Scheme has worked wonder in bringing visible transformation in the life and livelihood of the people living in this area. More than 7000 smart phones have been distributed to the students of the area to facilitate study. For better health care, ambulance fleet and para medics have been expanded and boat ambulance and water ambulance have been introduced, a release stated today.
He outlined various schemes under which the government is working in the Maoist-infested region in the state. He said that the medicines are being distributed through drone in some pockets in Kandhamal district. Under Mukhyamantri Bayu Yojana, super specialists are deputed to different areas for providing improved health care to the people. Also, initiatives for skill development and women empowerment have paid rich dividends. Women are provided with soft loans to set up enterprises. These steps have significantly weakened the support towards CPI (Maoist) outfit.
He extended his gratitude to the Centre for the support in combating the menace in an effective manner.
He said that the state reiterates its stand to pursue the strategy of pro-active security response and holistic development of tribal areas to address this problem in a meaningful manner. He expressed that the state government will continue to work in close co-ordination with the Central Agencies and neighbouring States to eliminate this menace.
The Union Minister Amit Shah expressed satisfaction over the measures taken by Odisha Government to curb Naxal menace. He assured that all assistance will be provided to the state and all-out efforts will be undertaken by the Centre to root out left wing extremism from the country in the coming year.
Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena and DG, Police Sunil Kumar Bansal were also present at the meeting.
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