New Delhi: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has put forth three important demands before the Center in order to tackle the Left Wing Extremism in the state. Naveen has said that the center should immediately take steps to link Nabarangpur with Malkangiri for better communication between the backward areas. This will go a long way in tackling the Naxal issue to a great extent. The Chief Minister has assured the center that the state government will extend all support to the center in this regard. The state is ready to give free land for the railway project. He also said the state is also ready to bear half of the project cost. The Chief Minister today attended the review meeting on Left Wing Extremism convened by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Chief Minister also raised two important issues before the Center. He has demanded the center to improve the telecommunications network in all the Naxal affected districts and blocks. Also, the banking infrastructure in the backward districts which are Naxal affected, need to be improved to help the people get the benefits of all government schemes.
The Odisha CM thanked the Union Home Minister for convening the meeting of Chief Ministers of LWE affected States and mentioned that the menace is the most critical internal security challenge faced by the nation and needs to be effectively countered by both the Centre and the State Governments.
Naveen informed that Odisha has been experiencing the scourge of Left Wing Extremism for more than three decades. The well calibrated security response and targeted developmental and Confidence Building Initiatives of the State Government have gradually brought about a very significant improvement in the LWE situation in the State.
He further informed that during the year 2018 and 2019 till 15th August, 26 LWE cadres have died in Police action. 85 have been attested and 35 have surrendered. The most redeeming feature in Odisha has been the dwindling mass support and the recruitment of local cadres. As a result. the total strength of the LWE cadres operating in the State has reduced substantially.
The Chief Minister highlighted that pro people. pro-tribal and pro-poor schemes along with 100% electrification and improved access to health & education facilities have played a major role in containing LWE problem. The focus on holistic development of the tribal districts and effective and regular monitoring of implementation of various Government Schemes in far flung tribal arms has significantly enhanced the human resources.
Despite difficult terrain in southern and western parts of the State, Odisha has successfully generated employment, provided houses and augmented road and bridge connectivity.
He mentioned that Government of Odisha has been working in close coordination with the Union Government and the neighbouring State Governments to deal with the problem firmly. The Plan of Action of the State Government against the LWE problem focuses on aggressive intelligence-based operations in the most LWE affected areas by Special Forces and CAPFs, intensified joint operations in the inter—State border Ins, pro-active area domination in moderately and less affected areas and Reused developmental initiatives for holistic development of the area.
Despite extremely hostile security environment, Odisha has successfully commissioned the ambitious Gurupriya Bridge to connect the Cut-Off area of Malkangiri district, which is now called as ‘Swabhiman Anchal’.
The State Government has also rolled out a Special Package for the people of the area in terms of connectivity, health care, electrification, education, etc, who are gradually integrating with the mainstream socio-economic and democratic activities.
The Chief Minister stated that induction of two additional Battalions of Central Armed Police Forces is imperative to effectively prevent the influx of outside LWE cadres.
He sought the support of the Government of India in early installation of mobile towers at 866 locations in the LWE affected areas and placement of a dedicated helicopter for the State. He suggested that railway connectivity projects to Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts should be completed within 36 months. For these projects, the State Government has committed to provide land free of cost and also bear a substantial portion of project cost.
Banking infrastructure needs to be set up in the unbanked areas. He also requested that the pending Rs.227 crore under the SRE Scheme should be released early. He urged the Genial Government to waive the deployment charge of CAPFs as ensuring the internal security is a constitutional obligation of the Union Government.
Chief Minister re-iterated the commitment of the Government of Odisha to the strategy of pro-active security and sustained holistic development of the affected areas to contain this problem decisively and requested the Union Government to provide full support to the State Government in this regard.