Centre approves three armed police battalions for Odisha to tackle naxals

New Delhi: Thirteen new armed police battalions, including three in Odisha, will be raised by the Union government to tackle the Naxal menace.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved 12 India Reserve Battalions for the Left Wing Extremism affected states. One comprising mostly tribals from the worst Maoist-hit districts will also be raised by the Centre.

Besides, four battalions will be raised in Chhattisgarh, three in Jharkhand and two in Maharashtra.

Further, two already sanctioned India Reserve battalions will be converted into auxiliary battalions in CRPF by recruiting youths from 15 severely Naxal-affected districts of Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Maharashtra.