Intensity of Maoist Activities Declining In Odisha : CM Naveen Patnaikj

27 March, Bhubaneswar

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday asserted that there had been substantial improvement in the overall containment of Maoist situation in the state and the intensity of Maoist activity was declining.

Replying to the debate on expenditure of Home and General Administration department here, amidst slogans by opposition Congress and BJP members, who were demanding roll back of hike in power tariff, Patnaik said there has been perceptible improvement in the Maoist situation in districts like Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanja, Gajapati, Ganjam, Nabarangpur, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Sundergarh and Nayagarh during the year.

The Chief Minister said, however, the situation remained sensitive in districts like Malkangiri, Koraput, Nuapada, Kalahandi and Bolangir.

He said 71 Left Wing extremists, including Odisha Maobadi Party leader Sabyasachi Panda and state Committee member of Andhra Odisha Border Special Zone Committee Tella Anil Kumar were arrested due to the proactive action taken by the security personnel.

The security forces also recovered a record number of 143 weapons, including 34 quality weapons during the period. In addition,99 LWE cadres, including Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha leader Nachika Linga, surrendered before police during 2014.

Patnaik said since connectivity plays an important role in restricting Maoist activities, significant steps had been taken for construction and improvement of roads and bridges in the Maoist-affected areas. Steps were also being taken to install 253 mobile towers to extend mobile connectivity to the people, he added