Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has lauded the efforts of the Odisha Government in curbing the Maoist menace in the State.
On Monday evening, Singh spoke to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and praised him for the recent operations in Kandhamal and Balangir districts in which seven Maoists were gunned down. He also discussed with him about security situation in the State in the wake of the elimination of the Maoists, according to reports.
The Chief Minister briefed the Union Minister on the steps taken by the State Government to deal with the Maoists, an official said.
The Union Minister also spoke to the DGP Rajendra Prasad Sharma and appreciated the operations conducted against Maoists.
It may be noted that four Maoists, including two women, were killed in Kandhamal's Golanki village and two Maoists were shot dead at Dudkamal village in Balangir district on Sunday
On Monday, another Maoist was killed as gun battle broke out between Red rebels and SOG and DVF in the Sudukumpa forest in Kandhamal.
Dr Sharma is understood to have told the Union Minister that anti-operations were expedited in the area and police are trying to flush out the Red rebels who are creating trouble in interiors of the State.