New Delhi: Due to fruitful anti-Maoists operations taken by State Government and Central forces, the number of violent Maoist incidents have also reduced by 90 per cent in Odisha from high of 218 in 2010 to 22 in 2022, Union MoS for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai told Lok Sabha today.
In a written statement to the House, Shri Rai said as per Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, subjects of police and public order are with the State Governments. However, to address Left Wing Extremism (LWE) menace holistically, Government of India approved ‘National Policy and Action Plan to address LWE’ in 2015 envisaging a multi-pronged strategy involving security related measures, development interventions, ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities etc.
The steadfast implementation of the National policy and Action Plan has resulted in consistent decline in LWE violence across the nation including Odisha. There has been a 76% reduction in the number of LWE related violence and 90% reduction in the number of LWE related deaths in LWE affected states in 2022 compared to 2010.
In Odisha, the number of violent incidents have also reduced by 90% from a high of 218 in 2010 to 22 in 2022 and deaths have reduced by 86% from 79 in 2010 to 11 in 2022, the Union Minister stated.
In Odisha too, the declining trend has continued in 2023 with 9 incidents and 3 deaths reported till 15 July 2023. The area of Swabhiman Aanchal or cut off area which was once considered a Maoist stronghold is now free from Maoists due to sustained efforts of security forces and development initiatives, he pointed out.
On the security front, GoI supports the LWE affected State Governments by providing Central Armed Police Forces Battalions, Helicopters, training, arms and equipment, funds for modernisation of State police forces, sharing of intelligence and construction of Fortified Police Stations etc.
Out of 32 Fortified Police Stations sanctioned for Odisha, 25 have been constructed since 2020-21 and Rs 33.42 crore has been released to the State for this purpose, he added.
Under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme, expenditure on operational requirements of security forces, rehabilitation of surrendered LWE cadres, community policing and ex-gratia etc is carried out. Rs 918.39 crore has been provided to the State Governments including Rs 101.98 crore to Odisha under the scheme from 2020-21 to till date.
On the development front, the Centre provides assistance for capacity building of LWE affected States through various schemes of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and schemes/ initiatives of other line Ministries, Rai said.
Special emphasis is laid on expansion of road network, improving telecommunications, educational empowerment and financial inclusion in LWE affected areas including Andhra-Odisha border. MHA also works in close coordination with all the Ministries to ensure optimum implementation of all schemes in LWE affected areas, he further said.
The Centre has allocated Rs 109.26 crore to Odisha under Special Central Assistance (SCA) scheme for the most LWE affected Districts.
Besides, the Government of India has released funds to the State Government for development of roads and public infrastructures, telephone towers, skill development of youths, Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) and post offices.