With Naxalite activities continuing to spread in Orissa, the state has decided to prepare a comprehensive strategy to control violence by Maoist activists and restore law and order in trouble-torn areas.
The decision to work out a new strategy within a week was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Chief secretary A K Tripathy, home secretary T K Mishra, Director General of Police Gopal Nanda and Director of Intelligence Manmohan Praharaj.
"A detailed report on how to tackle Maoist menace will be prepared within a week," Patnaik said, adding additional recruitment of security personnel along with proper training to them is imperative.
Besides recruitment and training, the government will also take steps to provide amenities to security personnel. The chief minister, however, said he was not aware of the possibility of Pakistan's ISI or any foreign agency being involved in the July 16 landmine explosion at Malkangiri in which 17 personnel were killed.
The victims included six members of the elite Special Operation Group. "The possibility of ISI or any other foreign hand behind the landmine explosion was not brought to my notice."
He said Orissa requires more funds to upgrade the police and intelligence systems.