Orissa sets up unified command to tackle Maoists

BHUBANESWAR - Orissa Thursday set up a state-level unified command to deal with the growing Maoist menace in the state, an official said.

“State chief secretary T.K. Mishra has been appointed as the head of the eight-member command. The government has passed the order today (Thursday),” an official of the state home department told IANS.

“The state command will take all the necessary measures to deal with the Maoist problem. They will take a decision on the various development activities required for the Maoist-affected areas. They will also decide on various security measures required,” he said, adding that the command will also co-ordinate with neighbouring insurgency-hit states for a unified effort.

The members of the unified command include the state police chief, principal secretary of the home department and senior officials of the intelligence agencies and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

The central government and the leaders of the Maoist-affected states had agreed to revisit their anti-insurgency strategy July and had decided to form unified commands in the four worst-hit states - Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal

The decision was taken July 14 at a meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The state government has formed the command as per the decision taken at the meeting.

Maoists are active in more then half of Orissa’s 30 districts.