Orissa wants additional security forces to counter Maoists

New Delhi, June 15 (ANI): Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has called upon the Union Home Ministry to substantially increase financial assistance for security related infrastructure for the state to contain and prevent Left Wing Extremism (LWE) violence.

Talking to reporters after meeting Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Tuesday, Patnaik said: "The state needs additional security force to deal with increasing Maoist attacks."

"I put forward the demands from my state, that we require two battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)," he added.

Patnaik also requested the home ministry to include four more districts-Nuapada, Bargarh, Bolangir and Kalahandii under Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme.

Patnaik also raised the demand for provisioning a dedicated helicopter for Orissa Police.

Besides, he requested the ministry to depute officers from the paramilitary forces to work with the Orissa Police for Naxal operations.

Earlier, Chidambaram offered a joint strategy of development and police action of development between Central and State governments to face challenges posed by 'left-wing extremism'.

In a statement, Chidambaram said: " We reviewed the situation in Chhattisgarh and Orissa, especially the area along the border of the two states. Chhattisgarh has reported 218 incidents with 90 deaths and Orissa has reported 84 incidents with 26 deaths. Although the numbers are lower than the last year, the level of violence is unacceptable. "

He further said: "On the development side, under the Integrated Action Plan of 2010-11 and 2011-12, under which Rs.55 crore has been allotted to each of the 60 affected districts, 18,724 works have been taken up in Chhattisgarh and 10,427 works have been taken up in Orissa. Of these, 2,237 works in Chhattisgarh and 2,693 works in Orissa have been completed. The other works are in progress."

Chidambaram said the security forces have confronted the challenge of left wing extremists with courage and restraint.

Chidambaram said the number of violent incidents and the number of casualties is lower than in the corresponding period last year.

"Violent incidents have been reported in areas falling under 270 police stations in 64 districts in eight States. Up to 14.6.2011, there have been 811 incidents (1025 last year) resulting in 270 deaths (473 last year). Of the 270 persons who were killed, 190 were civilians (296 last year) and 80 personnel of the security forces (177 last year)," said Chidambaram in the statement. (ANI)