The Odisha police has decided to step up operations against the Maoists and bring in necessary changes in the strategy to deal with the Naxalites, a top police police official said.
This was stated by Odisha's Director General of Police (DGP) R P Sharma after reviewing operations with top police officials in Naxalism-hit Rayagada, where a District Voluntary Force personnel was killed in a landmine blast on April 9.
The police chief emphasised the importance of adhering to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) during anti-Maoist operations to avert any injury or casualty, officials present at the meeting said.
While underlining the need to intensify anti-Maoist operations, Sharma also urged the insurgents to surrender and return to the social mainstream to lead a normal life.
"Maoists who surrender will be rehabilitated according to the prevailing surrender policy," the DGP said.
A cheque of Rs 18 lakh was handed over as ex-gratia to the father of the deceased DVF jawan, Sanjaya Majhi.
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The jawan was killed when an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by the Maoists went off near Sakata village under the jurisdiction of Muniguda police station late on April 9 night, police said.
Terming the attack as "an act of cowardice", a senior police official said that such assaults would not be able to demoralise the security personnel.
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