OdishaPlus Bureau
The government should make development action foolproof and result-oriented in Maoist-affected districts.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has recently proposed to the Centre to improve banking and telecommunication services in Naxal-affected districts and laid special emphasis on the requirement of railway connectivity in Maoist strongholds of Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts.
Naveen was placing the key demands at the review meeting by Union minister Amit Shah in Delhi. Odisha’s other demands included more Central funds for roads, schools, and hospitals in Naxal-affected areas. The state government also sought more funds to enhance security-related logistics and surveillance in sensitive regions.
Odisha further demanded deployment of at least one battalion of Central force in Naxal-affected districts and a chopper for emergency situations. Forest dwellers in LWE-affected areas should be given land and other benefits for their survival. Communication and infrastructure development holds the key to tackle LWE menace.
Just before the New Delhi meeting, Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy had a high-level meeting. The government’s claim is that the State has made significant achievements in controlling Maoist activities. As many as 10 out 15 Maoist-hit districts are now free from the influence of Left Wing Extremism. What could be the reason for the improvement in the overall Naxal scenario in Odisha?
One key reason is the developmental activities undertaken in areas affected by Red rebels. Undoubtedly, the firm implementation of developmental projects has resulted in a consistent decline in LWE related violence and considerable shrinkage in geographical spread. The Naveen Government has been committing itself to the holistic development of LWE-affected areas at par with other areas of the State. Apart from developmental schemes being implemented by line departments, some specific schemes are also being implemented in those areas.
Likewise, to improve road communication, 29 road projects sanctioned by the Centre under Road Requirement Plan-I (RRP-I) have been completed and another 33 projects sanctioned under RRP-II are under implementation. Once completed, the affected areas will witness rapid economic progress.
Yet another initiative has been Ekalavya Vidyalaya (residential schools) in Malkangiri and Koraput – two most infected districts. Besides what the government is doing to stop the menace of Maoist activities, one big reason for the increasing decimation of Maoist activities is that the cadres have dissipated in large numbers. Obviously, they find no point in joining the Maoist cadre when the leadership has been in the doldrums.
Data released by the state government in its White Paper-2018 says that a total of 54 LWE-related incidents were reported in the state in 2018 in which 19 Maoists were killed, 39 arrested and 27 surrendered. Police seized at least 40 firearms, huge cache of bullets and 24 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during anti-Maoist operations in different districts last year. That is a big achievement.
The killing of a hardcore Maoist, a platoon commander, in an encounter in Malkangiri district recently and the gunning-down of another five Maoists at Andhra-Odisha border four days ago too is a significant achievement of state police. All in all, it is expected that Maoist activities will further climb down in the coming months. But, the government has to make the development action foolproof and result-oriented.