Vijaya Kumar coming on July 23 to assess Odisha Maoist situation

Reported by Chinmaya Dehury

Bhubaneswar, July 21:

Even as the police is interrogating dreaded Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda to get a clue about Maoist presence in the state, K Vijaya Kumar, Security Advisor to the Union Home Ministry, is schedule to visit Odisha on July 23 to assess the situation in various parts of the state.

According to sources, Kumar will discuss with state government officials, including chief secretary JK Mohapatra, Home secretary VK Saxena and DGP Sanjeev Marik about the Maoist problem and to plan out strategies to tackle the menace.

He will also visit Koraput and Malkangiri districts, where the Maoists have unleashed a reign of terror, sources added.

While the presence of Maoists is gradually decreasing in the state, the Centre is aiming to combat the Maoism with a strong hand while emphasising development in these areas.

It is to be noted that Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, during his recent meeting with home secretaries and police chiefs of Maoist infested states, had assured that enough funds will be provided to equip and modernise the police forces in these states and had asked them to give a fitting reply if the Maoists try to challenge their authority.

The Home Minister had asked all states to adopt a uniform and concerted approach to tackle the Maoist movement.

While Odisha has asked for another battalion of Central Paramilitary Force (CPF) to be deployed on the border districts of Chhattisgarh, it has also requested the Home Ministry for a dedicated chopper for anti-Maoist operations.