Orissa handicapped by lack of resources: CM

Demanding deployment of at least 2,000 personnel of paramilitary force in riot-hit Kandhamal till the end of the coming general elections, Orissa government on Tuesday said it was severely handicapped by lack of resources.

The demand was made by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the conference of chief ministers on internal security, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.

Though Patnaik informed the conference that situation in Kandhamal was under control, he said complete normalcy could be restored only after all persons in the relief camp returned to their villages.

Stating that the state government favoured phased withdrawal of force from Kandhamal, the chief minister said force withdrawal should be carried over next three months.

He said deployment of central forces would help in the maintenance of law and order during the general elections.

Pointing out that the state was handicapped by lack of monetary and human resources as well as shortage of material to tackle the Maoist menace, Patnaik said 'the country as a whole has not invested enough to tackle the problem spreading fast'.

Seeking six more battalions of CRPF for deployment in 17 Maoist-affected districts, Patnaik asked the Centre to provide a 'dedicated' helicopter to the state to be kept ready in Bhubaneswar for any eventuality like aerial reconnaissance of Naxal-affected areas, evacuation of the injured and quick movement of force.

He demanded enhancement of central grant to Rs 100 crore per annum with 75 per cent share from the Centre under the scheme for modernisation of police forces.

With its 480-km long coastline open and prone to terrorist entry, Patnaik advocated for making coastal policing effective and purposeful as state police personnel were neither trained nor equipped to work in open seas.

The chief minister pressed for inclusion of five more districts under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme.

Patnaik asked the Centre to waive Rs 8.5 crore towards reimbursement of SRE claims.

Urging the Centre to train state police personnel, he called for deployment of serving or retired Navy and Coast Guard personnel.