Orissa urges centre to rush CRPF to combat naxalites

Bhubaneswar, Apr 5 (UNI) Orissa the Government has urged the Centre to immediately provide four additional companies of CRPF and urgent assistance in the shape of logistic to counter extremist attack, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik informed the State Assembly today.

Making a statement on the Naxalite attack on the small town of R Udayagiri on March 24, Mr Patnaik said the government was taking several measures to improve the preparedness of the police to face such attacks.

He said his government had demanded inclusion of three more districts in the list of extremist affected districts which was yet to be approved by the center.

Mr Patnaik said after the Naxalite attack, massive search was launched by the local administration to locate the abducted officers and combing operation was stepped up by the police.

The Chief Minister said he was happy to announce that the two abducted officers returned safely yesterday despite the state government not conceding the ultras' demands.

Mr Patnaik said the government had announced an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the next of the kin of those killed in Naxalite attack in R Udayagiri and promised a government job to one member of the deceased's family.

He further said an ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh had been granted to the next of the kin of the worker of the Works Department killed while clearing the landmines laid by the Naxalites. The Chief Minister said the government had announced an assistance of Rs.20,000 to each of the injured people in the incident besides free treatment.

UNI DP PL AK RN1542