Berhampur: Maoist menace has posed a major challenge for the state police as over 19 districts are affected by it, said director general of police (DGP) Kanwar Brajesh Singh.
While 16 districts were earlier affected by left wing extremism (LWE), the districts of Angul, Boudh and Subarnapur are recent additions to the list, Singh said at a press meet here Monday.
The police have taken it as a challenge and are prepared to counter the menace, he said, adding the problem has acquired serious proportions due to influx of ultras from Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.
Replying to a question on lack of adequate policemen, Singh said the state government is taking steps to fulfill the vacant posts.
Steps will be taken to increase the number of police stations in this city if necessity arises, the DGP said.
He laid stress on increasing the number of policewomen in Mahila police stations of the district.
Singh after his arrival here visited various police stations in Ganjam district and inaugurated the women and child help desk at Gosainugaon police station.
Later, he met the superintendents of police of southern districts at the SP office and held talks with them for over an hour.
IG Amitabh Thakur, Kandhamal SP Kanwar Vishal Singh, Boudh SP Batula Gangadhar, Gajapati SP Satyajit Nayak, Ganjam and Berhampur SP Ashis Singh attended the meeting where Singh was learnt to have had discussions with them on the Maoist problem.
He met some senior citizens and people involved in ‘Ama Police’, a community policing programme.
During an hour-long discussion, Singh stressed on success of the programme and making it more people oriented. Singh is slated to inaugurate a building of Digapahandi police station and visit Sadar police station near Ankushpur Tuesday. PNN