Odisha always supported Centre to curb naxalism: Amit Shah

Odisha has always supported the Central government in the ongoing fight against left-wing extremism, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said while inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) projects during an event in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.

"From 2015-2019, there has been a 30% decrease in the number of naxal incidents, a 32% decrease in encounters, and a 56% decrease in death of security personnel. I thank Odisha government and Naveen babu for extending cooperation to us to curb Naxalism," Shah added.

Addressing the gathering, Shah said, “The naxal menace has been controlled and there has been a drop in left-wing extremism. Odisha government has always supported us to combat naxals. Besides, the state has also adopted new methods and leading the country in disaster management. We can also defeat disasters if Centre and States work together."

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, who was also present at the event, thanked the BJP-led NDA government for focusing on the State’s development.  

Notably, Shah, who is on a two-day visit to Odisha, inaugurated 51 kilometre-long 4-lane stretch on National Highway 53 connecting Kamkhyanagar and Duburi, at Loka Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.

Besides, he also laid the foundation stone for the widening and strengthening of Moter to Baneer via Ladugaon road of Kalahandi district.