Odisha Police is on a public relation drive. After having persuaded members of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh to quit the struggle and join the mainstream, its eye is on the villagers of Narayanpatna, the heartland of rebellion over land alienation.
On Thursday, Director General of Police Prakash Mishra led the exercise as police distributed sports kits, educational articles, TV and DTH connection among villagers at a meeting held in Narayanpatna. Police said the sports items are meant to engage the youths constructively in the Maoist-hit areas while books and learning materials are aimed at motivating children to take to studies to keep them way from rebel activities.
What were the TV and Dish TV connection for? The exposure to media will enable the villagers from these backward areas to know that underdevelopment is the cause of Maoism. Over 1000 inhabitants from 20 villagers attended the meeting attended by ADG (Intelligence) Abhay and Koraput SP Awinash Kumar.
Later talking to mediapersons, the DGP said an anti-extremist training school and a training hub for Special Operation Group will be established at Koraput soon. Land for the institutions has been identified near the railway station in the town.
Of 19 districts affected by Maoism, 11 have already been brought under police control. “Situation in Rayagada and Kandhamal is gradually improving. Maoist problem at Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Balangir and Bargarh districts is largely because of Left wing extremism in neighbouring Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh,” the DGP asserted.
Inter-state coordination with Andhra Pradesh is at its best and both the States are conducting joint anti-Maoist operations in bordering areas, Mishra said and added that Left wing extremism has been controlled to a great extent in the district.