Maoists are now trying to create a South-North Red Corridor through Odisha.
In fact, the asymmetry in deployment of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPFs) in Chhattisgarh has led to infiltration of Chhattisgarh cadre ultras into neighbouring Odisha.
While there are 44 Battalions of CAPFs consisting of CRPF, BSF, ITBP and SSB Jawans deployed in Chhattisgarh, there are only nine Battalions of CRPF and eight BSF Battalions in Odisha.
The huge presence of CAPFs in Chhattisgarh is forcing Maoists to sneak into Odisha, and, in the process, they are carving out a South North Red Corridor through Odisha.
The Odisha Government has brought to the notice of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) about such a development, said sources.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has written several letters to the Prime Minister and discussed the issue of deployment of more forces in Odisha.
Recently, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh came to Odisha to take stock of the Maoist menace and lauded the efforts of the State Government in combating the Maoists. However on the issue of providing more forces to the State, he remained noncommittal, said sources.
While the ultras’ strength is dwindling in Odisha, the infiltration of cadres to the State from neighbouring States is helping them improve their presence in Odisha. The Maoists are changing their strategies often to expand their territories. They are adopting different modus operandi in deep forest areas and nearby areas, where there is population, said the sources.
While the State Government is focusing on the Koraput-Malkangiri areas to eliminate the ultras, they are finding new areas like Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Boudh, Nayagarh and Angul.
Now, the Maoists are becoming active in three new districts, Angul, Boudh and Subarnapur, for which the State Government has urged the Union Government to include these districts in the list of Security-Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme.
The Centre is funding the SRE districts in a big way to combat the leftwing terrorists. As there are little Maoist activities in Dhenkanal, Jajpur and Ganjam, the State Government has requested the Union Home Ministry to de-notify these three districts from the SRE list, the sources said.