New Delhi: Incidents of Maoist-related violence in Odisha has witnessed a mild drop in past three years, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) data.
As per the MHA figures, the state ranked third with 53 Maoist- related incidents after Chhattisgarh (222) and Jharkhand (109) till June 2018.
Odisha had witnessed 81 Maoist-related incidents in 2017 as compared to 92 in 2015. However, the number of deaths of security personnel had gone up to eight in 2017 from three in 2015. The state has also recorded a reduction in arrest of Maoists. While 60 Maoists were held in 2015, 56 were arrested in 2017.
However, the MHA data doesn’t match entirely with that of the state police. The state police figures show that 40 Maoist-related incidents occurred till July 15 this year in which nine civilians, one security personnel and 13 Naxalites were killed.
- State ranks third after Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand
- The MHA data doesn’t match entirely with that of the state police
- The state police figures show that 40 Maoist-related incidents occurred till July 15, 2018
- In 2017, 52 incidents were reported in which 17 civilians, nine security forces personnel and seven Maoists had been killed
In 2017, 52 incidents were reported in which 17 civilians, nine security forces personnel and seven Maoists had been killed. Similarly, 68 incidents were reported in 2016 in which 23 civilians, 3 security personnel and 39 Naxalites had lost their lives.
Police sources said the MHA data might have been based on the figures provided by the Central Armed Forces deployed in the state, leading to variance in figures.
Nevertheless, Odisha police reiterated that the incidents related to left wing extremism have declined in the state.
“Maoist-related incidents have witnessed a steady decline over past years. We have stepped up intelligence and operations in Maoist areas. We are focusing on cut-off areas of Malkangiri district which borders Andhra Pradesh. We also repeatedly appealed them to surrender and come into mainstream,” Director General of Police (DGP) RP Sharma told Orissa POST.
Throwing more light on the Maoist menace in the state, former Odisha DGP Bipin Bihari Mishra said that Maoist activities started in the state in 1970s.
“The Maoists entered Odisha from Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. Ganjam, Koraput, Mayurbhanj, Malkangiri and Rayagada were the most affected regions in the state. They (Maoists) made Odisha as their haven. They have been staying in the state as they found it a safe place,” said Mishra.
“Gradually, the activities have been decreasing because of the regional intelligence and also the Central government’s support to the state. Demonetisation has also weakened the Maoist activities in the state as the money they collected from the people has become useless. The government’s strategy to connect tribal areas with the rest of the state has also given a blow to Naxalites in the state,” Mishra added.
He said that to get rid of Naxalism, presence of the government should be felt at every village, especially tribal areas, in the form of school teachers, doctors and other government servants.
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir stated in the Lok Sabha that the government had neither initiated any rehabilitation programme for the arrested Maoists nor any talks held with the Maoist groups in these years.
MHA data on Red menace in state
| Till June 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
| Incidents | 53 | 81 | 86 | 92 |
| Civilian casualties | 9 | 21 | 24 | 25 |
| Security forces killed |
1 |
8 |
3 |
3 |
| Naxalites arrested | 22 | 56 | 43 | 60 |
