Bhubaneswar: There has been a substantial decline in the annual incidents of violence related to the left wing extremism in Odisha, said Minister of State (Home) Dibya Shankar Mishra in Odisha Assembly today.
While replying to question put up by Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati, Mishra said that, “Maoist activities have declined considerably in the state within last five years. The presence of Maoists is now confined within 15 districts of the State,” said Mishra.
In the last five years (2014 to 2019), 105 people were killed in naxal violence while 85 Maoists were gunned down by security forces in encounters.
According to Mishra, Koraput and Malkangiri districts are the worst affected by the left wing extremism. However, the number of Odia Maoists is also declining, he added.