Bhubaneswar, Oct 6 : A well calibrated security response backed by focused developmental interventions and people-centric policies of Odisha government has achieved significant success in combating Left Wing Extremism menace, State Finance Minister B K Aarukh said
Aarukh who participated a National level meeting on left wing extremism under the Chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah at New Delhi on Friday said the areas of influence of CPI (Maoist) have shrunk from a high of twenty-one districts to limited pockets of ten districts, intensity of violence has declined and mass support base and recruitment of local cadres to the outfit have dwindled.
The finance minister who represented Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the meeting said it is a matter of great satisfaction that the areas, which have been cleared up of extremism, have witnessed significant transformation due to pro-active developmental initiatives and people centric policies.
He said the Swabhiman Anchal of Malkangiri district, which was a bastion of Maoists for decades, has been brought under complete control and dominance of security forces.
The area has integrated with the socio-economic-political mainstream by remarkable progress in every sphere of development.
The construction of Gurupriya Bridge and implementation of Social Economic Transformation and Upliftment (SETU) Scheme has worked wonders in bringing visible transformation in the life and livelihood of the people living in this area.
Bikram Keshari Aarukh participated in this meeting on behalf of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Aarukh said more than 7000 smartphones have been distributed to the students of the area to facilitate study.
Ambulance fleet and paramedics have been expanded and boat ambulances and water ambulances have been introduced for better health care.
In some pockets in Kandhamal district, medicines are being distributed through drones. Under Mukhyamantri Bayu Yojana, super specialists are deputed to different areas for providing improved health care to the people.
The initiatives for skill development and women empowerment have paid rich dividends. Women are provided with soft loans to set up enterprises.
These steps, Aarukh claimed, have significantly weakened the support towards CPI (Maoist) outfits.
Odisha, he said is thankful to the Government of India for the support in combating the menace in an effective manner.
The Minister requested the centre to give urgent attention in installation of mobile towers under different Mobile Connectivity Schemes
A dedicated helicopter may please be provided to the State as Uninterrupted Helicopter service is a critical requirement for the security forces for movement of troops, maintenance of forward posts and to respond to exigencies in the context of LWE conflict.
The State government, Aarukh said, will continue to work in close coordination with the Central Agencies and neighbouring States to eliminate this menace.
