Orissa requires 3 more battalions of central force to tackle Maoists

Daily News and Analysis, April 3, 2010
Bhubaneswar: With 17 of its 30 districts hit by left wing extremism, Orissa needs at least three more battalions of central para-military force to combat the menace, official sources said.


"Though five additional battalions (about 3,000 personnel) of Border Security Force have arrived in the state for joint anti-Maoist operation, we require three more battalions of central force," home secretary AP Padhi told PTI.

While all the 3,000 BSF personnel already sent to the state would be deployed in worst-hit Koraput and Malkangiri districts, additional force is required to undertake joint operation in 15 other districts spread over northern and western regions, he said.

Besides the central para-military force, the state's elite anti-naxalite force - special operation group (SOG) - would also undertake anti-naxalite operations in all the 17 affected districts.

"CRPF personnel, earlier deployed in Koraput and Malkangiri, have been shifted to other areas. The BSF and Orissa police will launch joint operation in the southern districts," Padhi said.

The operation by BSF jawans would continue in southern districts till the red rebels are wiped out from the area, a senior home department official said on condition of anonymity.

The central paramilitary force are likely to stay in the state till 2013, he said.

Asked about the proposed anti-Maoist joint special operation, Padhi said combing operation was an ongoing process.

"The difference between the earlier operation and the proposed one is that now BSF will be enaged in exercise in Koraput and Malkangiri instead of CRPF jawans," he said.

While districts like Koraput, Malkangiri, Nawrangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam along with Kandhamal in south Orissa have witnessed Maoist violence, the ultras are also active in western districts of Sambalpur, Deogarh, Kalahandi and Nuapada.

Maoists are also active in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts while they often indulge in violence in Dhenkanal district in central Orissa and in the coastal district of Jajpur.