The State Government has sought helicopter support from the Centre to take on the Maoists who are active in the hostile topography in the borders of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
While anti-Maoist operations in the State have yielded results, a dedicated helicopter service is needed to withstand any eventuality, said a senior official in the State Home Department. So, the State Government has approached the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for chopper support.
The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) are focusing on specific areas of concerns, which have been identified. The areas include the cutoff zone of Malkangiri, Tulsi Dongri in the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border and other areas like inter-State operational zone of CPI(Maoist) along Andhra Pradesh.
The Central forces are to be mobilised as and when it is necessary for anti-Maoist operations; and in absence of a dedicated helicopter service, difficulties are being faced by the State Government in this regard.
A chopper is stationed in Chhattisgarh, which is also utilised in Odisha n requisition as and when it is required. However it is a time-consuming process and at times, the support is not available.
A CoBRA Battalion from the operational grid of Odisha. So, the State Government has again requested the MHA for restoration of a CoBRA team to undertake anti-Maoist operations.
Besides, about Rs 50 crore of Security-Related Expenditure (SRE) grant is yet to be released to Odisha though it is pending for last so many years despite the State Government time and again reminding the MHA in this regard, said an official.
The State Government has also submitted a memorandum to the MHA requesting for two additional battalions of Central Armed Police Forces. While Chhattisgarh is having 44 battalions and Jharkhand 23 battalions, Odisha has only 16.