Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: Maoist activities and violence by the leftwing rebels have substantially declined in 12 Maoist-infested districts of the state, informed Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the Assembly Tuesday.
“Maoist activities in Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Nabarangpur, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Sundargarh and Nayagarh districts have declined substantially compared to neighbouring states like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, which had 346 incidents with 75 deaths of civilians and security personnel, and 170 incidents with 23 deaths of civilians and security personnel respectively,” said the CM in his reply to questions raised by Opposition MLAs in the House during a discussion on supplementary budget expenditure of the home department for 2015-16.
“In Orissa, 51 incidents with 18 deaths of these (Maoist) categories were reported during 2015 up to September,” he said, adding, “Surrender of Maoists has increased in the state with the surrender of 63 Maoist cadres/militias this year”.
Replying to Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra’s concern over strengthening of police, Patnaik said 1,572 posts in different ranks of police have been created in order to augment the strength of the state police. Orissa Staff Selection Commission is in the process of recruiting 1,002 sub-inspectors, 84 deputy subedars and 57 police sergeants, he said. This year, 1,370 Constables have been recruited, added the CM.
“Cases relating to crime against women and other heinous crimes are being tagged as red-flag cases. For expeditious trial of cases of atrocity against ST&SC communities, three special courts have been made functional,” said Patnaik, who presented supplementary grants worth `80.50 crore under the state plan, `50.83 crore under non-plan and `29 lakh under central plan.
However, the Opposition which had raised the issue of vacant post in the offices of Lokayukta, Chief Information Commissioner and Orissa Human Right Commission, staged a walkout from the House saying the CM’s answer was not satisfactory.