Operation against the outlawed Maoists, who have posed a serious challenge to the internal security of the country, will be further intensified by the State police and paramilitary forces soon, said Security Advisor to Union Home Ministry (UHM) on anti-Naxal Operation and former Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General K Vijay Kumar, while talking to media outside the District Police Office during his visit to Malkangiri district.
The UHM Security Advisor said operation will not take us very far unless developmental concerns are also effectively addressed. “The two-pronged strategy that we have followed so far needs to be strengthened and pursued with rigour. Even as we intensify our efforts to strengthen the security and intelligence apparatus in areas affected by Maoist violence, we should be able to ensure that people residing in left Wing extremist affected areas are able to live in an environment of peace and security and derive full benefits of our development efforts," Vijya Kumar said.
While environmental issues are undoubtedly important, it is vital to keep in mind the backwardness of the area and the challenge posed by the extremists, he asserted. Underlining the need for better coordination between the State police and the Central forces like BSF and CRPF in Odisha and Chhattisgarh to take on the left Wing extremists more effectively, he said the anti-Maoist operation is heading on the right track.
Earlier, the UHM Security Advisor accompanied by Chhatisgarh Bastar Range IG AD Goulak, IG (Operation) SRP Kalur and a senior official of the Union Home Ministry was flown from Jagdalpur in neighbouring Chhatisgarh by a Border Security Forces chopper. Then he rushed straight to the District Police Office where he held a marathon in-camera meeting with Collector M Muthukumar, Superintendent of Police Akhileswar Singh and top officials from the Border Security Forces and neighbouring Chhatisgarh on various security challenges the cops are facing. During the discussion, the officials reportedly shared information with the Union Home Ministry Security advisor on the ongoing anti-Maoist operation in the district.