The Centre would consider the Orissa government’s plan to combat Naxalite problem in the state, said Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Friday.
“The Orissa government has come forward with a plan to tackle Naxal violence and I will take up this plan for consideration”, said the minister, who is on a two-day visit to the Orissa to review the security situation in the aftermath of the recent spurt in Naxal violence.
He, however, ruled out military action to fight this menace.
“No military action is required to fight Naxal menace in Orissa as the police forces are capable of tackling the problem. Whatever assistance required by Orissa to combat the violence would be provided by the Centre, but at the same time, the state government needs to improve its police strength in terms of recruitment and training”, Chidambaram said.
He pointed out that the Centre is even ready to provide chopper services to Orissa, if required, for dealing with the situation in the Naxal-infested areas.
Chidambaram admitted that the Naxal problem has been neglected for the past 10 years, adding, “Now the Centre is joining hands with various states which are bearing the brunt of the Naxal violence.”
Commenting on the recent landmine blast triggered by the Maoists near Laxmipur in south Orissa’s Koraput district, he said, there is a standard operating procedure for the police forces in the trouble-torn region and the forces should not violate this procedure.
Asked about the situation in Narayanpatna in Koraput district, which is reported to have been taken over by the red rebels for the last two weeks, he said, the state police have been sent to all major areas in Narayanpatna.
Chidambaram also visited some relief camps in Kandhamal district that were set up after a series of communal clashes following the killing of an 85-year-old VHP leader Swami Laxmananda Saraswati in August last year.
During a visit to one of the relief camps, the minister told riot victims: “I am sorry that certain things happened last year and you have been brought to these camps. But you must go back to your villages. I am here to tell you, don’t fear.”
He also said that the district had not witnessed any communal violence since December last year.
Condemning the incident, Chidambaram asked them to start life afresh, build churches and practise their religion.
