Maoist activities on decline: Odisha CM

BHUBANESWAR: Maoist activities are on the wane in the state, chief minister Naveen Patnaik told the assembly on Friday even as a white paper tabled in the House said the extremists killed 20 people last year. 

Taking part in the discussion on expenditure of home department, Naveen said, "There has been substantial improvement in the overall containment of Maoist situation in state. The intensity of Maoist activity is on the decline." 

The CM said there was improvement in the situation in districts such as Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Nabarangpur, Sambapur, Deogarh, Sundargarh and Nayagarh in 2014. He said 99 rebels surrendered in the state in 2014 while police arrested 71. Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh leader Nachika Linga surrendered last year while most-wanted Sabyasachi Panda was arrested. A record 143 weapons, including 34 advanced weapons, were recovered from the rebels. 

Naveen said proactive action taken by security forces to deal with Maoist problem brought the good results. Significant steps have been taken for construction and improvement of roads and bridges in the areas, he said. 

The situation still remains sensitive in Malkangiri, Koraput, Nuapada, Kalahandi and Balangir, the CM said. Stating that connectivity plays an important role in restricting Left-wing extremism (LWE), he said the government is planning to install 253 mobile towers in the LWE-affected districts. 

The white paper said 76 Maoist-related incidents last year killed six guerillas. 

Opposition political parties contested the government claim. "The government claims are unsubstantiated because last year Maoists made inroads into newer areas in western Odisha such as Boudh. They continue to remain active and kill innocent people, branding them as police informers," leader of opposition Narasingha Mishra told the media outside the assembly. 

BJP legislator Pradeep Purohit echoed similar views. "The government is claiming something it has not achieved. The problem of Maoists continues to persist as the government has failed to address the basic problems, leading to rise in extremism," he said. 

Source http://m.timesofindia.com/city/bhubaneswar/Maoist-activities-on-decline-CM/articleshow/46725295.cms