Odisha to demand more central forces to combat Maoists

Bhubaneswar: Expressing grave concern over the spurt in Maoist violence in the state, chief secretary A P Padhi said Odisha will raise its previous demand before the Centre for sanctioning two more battalions of forces.

Chairing a high-level meeting at the state secretariat on Wednesday, Padhi said, “Prominent issues relating to security and road connectivity in the Maoist-hit areas of the state will be raised in the crucial meeting scheduled on May 8 in New Delhi.”

Accordingly, strategies will be prepared and put in place. Besides, mobile connectivity, which has become a major problem in Maoist-intensified areas, will also be discussed in the meeting.”

DGP KB Singh, Home Secretary Asit Tripathy and other senior government officers were present.