'Orissa is better place than neighbouring states'

Bhubaneswar, Jun 6: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik claimed the extremist violence in Orissa was much less compared to other neighbouring states.

Replying to a motion moved by the Opposition on the law and order situation in the state, Mr Patnaik said there has been a substantial improvement in the overall situation.

The extremist violence was much less compared to states like Chhatishgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, Mr Patnaik said.

He added while only 22 Naxalite related incidents were reported during the year in Orissa, 169 cases were registered in Chhatisgarh followed by 118 in Jharkhand, 40 in Bihar and 38 in Andhra Pradesh.

The Chief Minister said the security forces have arrested 35 Naxal activists during the year and recovered 15 arms and 21 improvised explosive devices. This apart the security forces, Mr Patnaik said, have busted two arms manufacturing units of CPI(ML) during January. He, however, said the government was not complacent about the situation and was continuing its efforts in maintaining law and order situation in the state.

On the Opposition allegation that the government has been lenient On the Opposition allegation that the government has been lenient toward the IPS officer as evident in Inspector General Sanjiv Marik case, the Chief Minister said he has come down heavily on persons irrespective of their rank if any act of corruption or abuse of authority had come to his notice.

Mr Patnaik said action has been taken against a former Director General of Police who has been chargesheeted while as many as 122 police officers have been proceeded against by the vigilance organisation.

On the alleged unholy nexus between Inspector General of Police Sanjib Marik with the criminals of Jharkhand, the Chief Minister said Mr Marik was placed under suspension and major penalty proceedings had been ordered by him.

Mr Patnaik said as per his directive the DGP had submitted an inquiry report along with the explanation of the senior IPS officer in deputing one K C Behera to accompany some people to meet the detainees in the Bhadrak jail for their involvement in a bank dacoity case.

He described the action of Mr Marik as ''unwarranted and unbecoming on the part of a senior IPS officer'' and justified his action of referring the case to the Lok Pal for investigation.'' The Chief Minister said the Lok Pal was the competent authority to inquire into the allegation against public servant for abusing his position.

Mr Patnaik told the Assembly that the police would continue to investigate the criminal aspect while the Lok Pal would probe the abuse of power by Mr Marik. He made it clear that whether the IG would be arrested or not would depend largely on the outcome of the investigation.

UNI