Odisha will demand 2 additional battalions, better connectivity: Chief Secy

Bhubaneswar: Demand for two additional battalions of central force besides inter-state coordination will be pitched in at the national meet to be held in New Delhi to discuss strategies to deal with Naxal activities. This was decided at a high level meeting of the state government, held under the chairmanship of chief secretary Aditya Padhi at the secretariat, here today, ahead of the national meet on May 8.

“We would seek two battalions of additional central forces and stress on strengthening interstate coordination,  better mobile connectivity, road connectivity and infrastructure development in the Mao infested areas during the meeting with the Home Minister,’’ said Padhi soon after the meeting.

Among those present in the meeting include DGP KB Singh, Home Secretary Asit Kumar Tripathy and the Intelligence Director.

The May 8 meeting of chief ministers of eight Mao-affected states in New Delhi called by Home Minister Rajnath Singh gains prominence in view of the recent Sukma attack that killed 25 police personnel.