New Delhi: The State Government has demanded a dedicated helicopter from Centre for movement of the security forces during anti-Maoist operations and to respond to exigencies in the context of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Menace.
The State Government has raised this demand at the National level meeting on LWE held under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah here on 6 October.
Minister Finance, Bikram Keshari Arukha participated in this meeting on behalf of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena and DG Police Sunil Kumar Bansal also attended this meeting.
“A dedicated helicopter may please be provided to the State as Uninterrupted Helicopter service is a critical requirement for the security forces for movement of troops, maintenance of forward posts and to respond to exigencies in the context of LWE conflict,” Shri Arukha said.
The Minister also sought urgent attention of the Centre for early installation of mobile towers under different Mobile Connectivity Schemes.
Shri Arukha in his speech expressed that Left Wing Extremism is a grave internal security challenge to the nation. Under the strong leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Odisha has achieved significant success in combating Left Wing Extremism menace, he said.
Well calibrated security response backed by focused developmental interventions and people-centric policies of the government have brought about remarkable transformation in the situation in most of the affected areas.
The areas of influence of CPI (Maoist) have shrunk from a high of twenty-one districts to limited pockets of ten districts, intensity of violence has declined and mass support base and recruitment of local cadres to the outfit have dwindled, he pointed out.
“It is a matter of great satisfaction that the areas, which have been cleared up of extremism, have witnessed significant transformation due to pro-active developmental initiatives and people centric policies,” Shri Arukha said.
Citing the transformation of Swabhiman Anchal of Malkangiri district, he said, the area which was a bastion of Maoists for decades, has been brought under complete control and dominance of security forces. The area has integrated with the socio-economic-political mainstream by remarkable progress in every sphere of development.
The construction of Gurupriya Bridge and implementation of ‘SETU’ (Social Economic Transformation and Upliftment) Scheme has worked wonders in bringing visible transformation in the life and livelihood of the people living in this area, the Minister said.
He informed that more than 7000 smart phones have been distributed to the students of the area to facilitate study. For better health care, the ambulance fleet and paramedics have been expanded and boat ambulances and water ambulances have been introduced.
In some pockets in Kandhamal district, medicines are being distributed through drones. Under Mukhyamantri Bayu Yojana, super specialist doctors are deputed to different areas for providing improved health care to the people. Also, initiatives for skill development and women empowerment have paid rich dividends, he stated, adding, women are provided with soft loans to set up enterprises. These steps have significantly weakened the support towards CPI (Maoist) outfits.
“The State of Odisha reiterates its stand to pursue the strategy of pro-active security response and holistic development of tribal areas to address this problem in a meaningful manner,” he committed.
The State Government will continue to work in close coordination with the Central Agencies and neighbouring States to eliminate this menace, Shri Arukha expressed.
Union Home Minister Shri Shah expressed satisfaction over the measures taken by Odisha Government to curb Naxal menace.
He assured that all assistance will be provided to the State and all-out efforts will be undertaken by the Government to root out left wing extremism from the country in the coming years.
