Odisha demands dedicated helicopter, more mobile towers in Naxal areas

Odisha government on Friday urged the Centre to provide a dedicated helicopter for the security forces deployed in tackling Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in the state. The Odisha government placed such demands during a high-level review meeting on Left Wing Extremism (LWE), which was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi today.

Odisha Chief Secretary, Finance Minister Bikram Arukh, and the Police DG attended the review meeting. Sharing details, Arukh informed that several discussions were held on various aspects. It was also discussed how effectively we can tackle left-wing extremism with coordinated measures by the Centre and respective state governments.

“Odisha has placed a demand for mobile towers in naxal-affected areas on a war footing. Apart from this, the state has sought a dedicated helicopter for transportation of security forces deployed in the naxal-infested areas of the state,” said Arukh.

The State Finance Minister further informed that Odisha has done a remarkable job in containing the Naxals. The left-wing extremism in Odisha is now limited to 10 districts against 21 districts in the past.

Earlier, the Union Home Minister in a social media post had shared, “Naxalism is a curse to humanity and we are resolved to uproot it in all its forms. I look forward to chairing the Review Meeting on Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in New Delhi today to further our efforts to fulfil PM @narendramodi Ji’s vision of an LWE-free nation.”