Naveen Patnaik, chief Minister of Orissa. (File Photo)
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Bhubaneswar(Orissa): Addressing to the conference of the Chief Ministers’ on Internal Security chaired by the Prime Minister at New Delhi on Tuesday , the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik made an earnest appeal to put up a united front to fight against terrorism and extremism as the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai have affected the psyche of all of us.
This meeting will send a strong and clear message that the country is united to deal with terrorism and extremism firmly and expeditiously, he added.
He also pointed out that in the endeavor to eradicate the menace of terrorism including Left Wing Extremism (LWE), states are being severely handicapped by lack of resources, in terms of money, men and material and the country as a whole has not invested enough in tackling this problem which is spreading fast.
He has informed that 17 out of the 30 districts in Orissa are affected by Left Wing Extremist (LWE) violence.
He requested to the Centre for six more battalions of C.R.P.F. to be deployed in the affected districts. He has also requested the Centre to deploy a dedicated Helicopter at Bhubaneswar for aerial reconnaissance of naxalite affected areas, evacuation of injured personnel and quick movement of forces.
He informed the house that the unfortunate ethno-communal tension in the tribal district of Kandhamal was brought under control and the Christmas and New Year celebrations were event free.
He however, asserted that complete normalcy can return only after all the persons in the relief camps return to their villages and proposed that the withdrawal of the central forces should be phased over the next three months.
He outlined the need for continuance of the central forces in the district even after March, 2009 and a minimum contingent of about 20 companies should continue in Kandhamal which can help in the maintenance of law and order during the forthcoming general elections.
The Chief Minister requested the Centre to enhance the grant to the State to at least Rs.100 crores per annum with 75% share from the Government of India under the Scheme for Modernisation of Police Forces.
He pressed for inclusion of Deogarh, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal and Nayagarh districts under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme as these districts are now substantially affected by left wing extremism and requested the Centre to consider lifting the ceiling in respect of reimbursement of SRE claims which is now capped at Rs.8.5 crore.
He has also stated that the State Government is in the process of raising a Special Security Battalion (SSB) for security of vital installations and persons at the State Capital and requested the Centre to assist in training this Battalion on the pattern of the National Security Guard (NSG).
He also emphasized the need for training Intelligence Personnel to enable them to keep pace with strategies to deal with modern day terrorism.
He strongly advocated to make coastal policing effective and purposeful as the State police personnel are neither trained nor equipped to work in the open seas and urged the Centre to help the State in training personnel and to provide the services of serving or retired Navy / Coast Guard Personnel.
