Fears of Maoist influx to Odisha as neighbouring Chhattisgarh steps up ops

As suggested by the Centre, the Odisha government has also raised three battalions of the Odisha Special Striking Force (OSSF), comprising ex-servicemen, to engage in anti-Maoist operation.

Odisha has requested that at least 12 companies of CAPF be sent for a period of two years, to be deployed in LWE-affected areas to prevent infiltration and eradicate Maoists in a time bound manner. (Representative/ Express file photo by Partha Paul)

As neighbouring Chhattisgarh steps up anti-Naxal operations with large-scale deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), the Odisha government is preparing for the possible movement of Maoist cadres from Chhattisgarh to Odisha.

“With large-scale induction of security forces, anti-Naxal operations are picking up in Chhattisgarh. In such a situation, there is reasonable apprehension of possible movement of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) cadres, from Chhattisgarh to Odisha, and their possible relocation inside Odisha,” Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said.

The Odisha CM’s statement came days after 31 Maoists were gunned down by security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Abujhmad.

Majhi, who attended a meeting of Maoist-affected states’ chief ministers with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi in the aftermath of the Abujhmad encounter, has sought 12 companies – there are around 100 personnel in one company – of CAPF for a period of two years as well as a dedicated chopper.

While LWE has been restricted to a few pockets in Odisha and incidents of violence have been minimised, officials said activities related to LWE in the Kandhamal-Boudh-Kalahandi axis are concerning.

“Despite sustained and aggressive operations, Naxals have shown considerable resilience, and they continue to hold ground in this particular area,” an official said.

With the intention of redeploying them in other states, the Centre recently withdrew at least 27 of the 96 companies of CAPF troops that were deployed in Odisha. The Centre is thought to be considering removing even more troops as the Maoist issue has been restricted to just a few pockets in the state.

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As suggested by the Centre, the Odisha government has also raised three battalions of the Odisha Special Striking Force (OSSF), comprising ex-servicemen, to engage in anti-Maoist operation. The state has plans to raise three more battalions.

“Until the recruited forces are deployed on the ground, there is a pressing need for effective area domination, to check infiltration from Chhattisgarh, and to augment intelligence-based operations. I request you (Union Home Minister), not to withdraw the central forces till the induction process is complete,” said the Chief Minister.

Odisha also requested that at least 12 companies of CAPF be sent for a period of two years, to be deployed in LWE-affected areas to prevent infiltration and eradicate Maoists in a time bound manner.

Emphasising on the development of the LWE-affected areas in Odisha, the state government has planned to launch a new scheme called Gramodaya, converging over 40 schemes to cover all the villages situated in such areas and provide them with basic infrastructure and services.

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