'Growth, security key to check Naxals'
Senior security advisor in Union Home Ministry K Vijay Kumar on Tuesday met Odisha Governor S C Jamir and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Vijay Kumar was on a two-day visit to the State after taking over as the security advisor in the Home Ministry. He is understood to have discussed anti-Naxal campaign in Odisha during his visit with the Chief Minister at the secretariat.
Talking to mediapersons after the meeting, Vijay Kumar said upgradation of security measures and implementation of development projects are a priority in countering Naxal menace. Referring to the anti-Naxal campaign, Vijay Kumar said the situation is better in Odisha than in neighbouring States. Vijay Kumar, however, said development projects should continue along with security measures to effectively counter the Naxalite menace. Though the situation in Odisha was comparatively better than other States, the State Government must carefully monitor certain areas to eradicate the menace, he said.
“The State Government must maintain a very cautious approach towards LWE situation in Odisha,” Vijay Kumar said.
“Where there is security action, it must be followed by developmental activities. Development must reach remote areas quickly,” Vijay Kumar said, expressing satisfaction over the State Government’s steps to develop Maoist-hit areas. Replying to a question, he said the State Government needed to tackle the situation with available forces since all Maoist-hit States also faced a similar situation.
Vijay Kumar, a former director-general of CRPF, said the State Government needed to have better coordination with the Planning Commission and the Ministry of Rural Development for quick development of Maoist-hit areas, which were mostly located in remote parts of the State.
Kumar said his job was to oversee how both the development and security actions went hand in hand. He discussed the prevailing Maoist situation in the State with Director General of Police Prakash Mishra.