Orissa CM calls for socio-economic package for naxal areas

New Delhi, Dec 20 (UNI) Suggesting a two-pronged strategy to counter spread of naxalism, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today called upon the Centre to implement a composite socio-economic package for the affected areas and also initiate a comprehensive dialogue process on the developmental issues of those areas.

Addressing the conference of the Chief Ministers' on Internal Security chaired by the Prime Minister, he said while there is a need for relaxation of existing norms of the ongoing schemes, it is necessary to create a Special Fund for direct and immediate intervention to fill up the critical gaps.

He also stressed on the need to have a comprehensive dialogue on developmental issues relating to the naxal-hit areas so that its further spread is effectively checked.

Demanding the sanction of five more India Reserve (IR) Battalions for the State, he said the Central Government should give a special grant of Rs 30 Crore for the Training Resource Centre (TRC) of Special Operations Group, which is coming up near Bhubaneswar.

The TRC is being developed as a permanent Training Resource Centre for fight against terrorism, jungle warfare and anti-extremist operations.

He further requested the Union Government to provide a sum of Rs 15 Crore from the mega city Plan, 2008-09 under the Police Modernisation Scheme, to facilitate the launching of the Commissionerate for twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

The Chief Minister urged the Centre to assist Orissa in terms of manpower and financial resources to strengthen its internal security system.

Stressing on the need to expand the scope of the police modernisation scheme, he said the size of the scheme for Orissa may be enhanced from Rs 26.50 crore to Rs 60.00 crore, He also asked for sanction of Central Assistance for upgrading capability of the remaining 58 Police Stations located in the areas affected by naxalite violence and sanction of another Coastal Police Station for Puri.

He urged the Centre to consider on priority deployment of two more battalions of Central Para Military Forces in the State, and also support the proposed Vijayawada and Ranchi Highway project as it will help improve the communication network in 14 extremist-prone districts in the State UNI