Patnaik admits Naxal menace, promises fast action soon

Admitting that the problem of left wing extremism is growing in Orissa, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday said the state government ha...

Admitting that the problem of left wing extremism is growing in Orissa, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday said the state government has asked for special security cover for two more districts against the Naxalite menace in addition to the four districts which had been brought under this cover.

The two districts are Nabarangpur in the south and Mayurbhanj in the north, Patnaik told reporters on his arrival here from New Delhi. Special security covers have been provided to four southern districts, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri.

Patnaik said he discussed the problem with Central leaders including Deputy PM L.K. Advani during his Delhi visit.

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He however, said that the Naxalite problem in the state is not comparable to the situation prevailing in Jharkhand and other neighbouring states.

Asked if he would prefer dialogue with the ultras, Patnaik parried the question and said, ‘‘I have an open mind for anything which will ensure peace and prosperity of the state.’’ He added that development in such areas will have to be given priority. The Chief Minister said he had raised the issue of protecting the state’s 480-km coastline while speaking at the conference on internal security held in New Delhi on Saturday.

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