19 Odisha Districts Are Maoists Affected: Naveen

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday informed that a total of 19 revenue districts had been affected by Maoists activities.

Replying to a question of BJD member Dibya Shankar Mishra, the chief minister said while 19 districts are considered Maoists affected districts, the state government has taken several steps to combat the Naxal activities by upgrading police stations in the affected blocks.

He said the presence of security forces had been enhanced and intelligence based anti-Naxal operations intensified in the affected areas.

In another question by Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati over number Maoists and Maoists supporters surrendered before police since 2009 and their rehabilitation, the chief minister informed the assembly that ‘information are being collected’.