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Orissa, Centre to set up anti-Naxal force

The Orissa Government, with help from the Centre, will raise a battalion of reserve police to counter left wing extremism in the state.

"The Centre has agreed to the state government 's request for raising a special battalion of reserve police to counter the Naxalite threat," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik stated on Thursday.

Patnaik said the Centre had agreed to contribute Rs 6 crore to raise the India Reserve Battalion.

He said the setting up of the battalion followed the state's efforts to contain the Naxalite menace.

The battalion will be deployed in Naxal-infested districts in southern and northern Orissa. Besides, it will be deployed along the border with Andhra Pradesh and Bihar to check the infiltration of Naxalites.

Patnaik's announcement surprised top officials involved in combating left wing extremism in the state. A senior police official said that proposals by successive governments to check the Naxal menace have been turned down by the Centre.

Patnaik admitted in the state assembly that left wing extremists were active in Rayagada, Gajpati and Kondhamal.

Sources told rediff.com that the Centre agreed to the state government's request following increased violence in the state by Naxalites.

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