Left Wing Extremism major cause of concern for Odisha: Patnaik

Bhubaneswar: Terming Left Wing Extremism as a major cause of concern for Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday said recent activities of Maoists in four districts was worrisome and needed to be handled effectively.

"Left Wing Extremism continues to be a major concern for the state. Though we have been able to contain the menace to areas bordering our neighbouring states, recent movement and activities of the Maoist cadre in districts of Bolangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Boudh is worrisome," Patnaik said.

"We should handle this new development effectively. We have already created adequate resources in terms of manpower, equipment and other logistics supplemented by the deployment of CRPF," he said addressing the annual conference of senior police officers here.

Stating that there is no reason why the police leadership cannot counter the inroads made by the Maoist into the central Odisha, the chief minister exhorted the district SPs and senior officials in the headquarters to fight the menace with renewed enthusiasm and commitment backed by meticulous

planning.

Asking the police authorities to focus on some other areas in the days to come, Patnaik said "we have to prepare for urban terrorism, attack on vital establishments and coastal infiltration. We have to strengthen our institutional set ups and response mechanisms so that timely preventive actions can be taken."

Besides, they should take special interest to ensure timely payment of personal claims of police personnel who died in harness, he said.

Referring to organised crime, Patnaik said offences like extortion activities indulged by transportation mafia would not be tolerated and he was reviewing the matter regularly.

"Though some improvement has been noticed, I have expressed concern regarding the violence against women and children. I would expect the SPs to personally monitor the progress of investigation in case of sensitive cases of crime against women and children," the chief minister said.

'Mahila and Sishu' desks, Integrated Anti-human Trafficking Units and Women Cells were excellent initiatives and they should be fully implemented, he said.

The recently created District Level Standing Committees have started reviewing acquittal orders, but they have to fix responsibility for shoddy performance, Patnaik said adding disciplinary proceedings should be initiated against poor investigation and prosecution.

Investigation by police in police stations needed improvement with regular training and capacity building. Like senior IAS officers, senior police officers would have to make district visit during the first week of every month regularly.

Besides inspecting police stations, they must visit the complainants and assess performance of police, he said.

Describing police as one of the most important pillars of the administration which can contribute to good governance, Patnaik said a responsive and honest police force was the need of the hour.