The number of violent incidents perpetrated by CPI (Maoist) has come down in Odisha to 52 in 2017 compared to 68 incidents in 2016.

The Inter- State Coordination Meeting held at Hyderabad on Monday under chairmanship of the Senior Security Advisor of the Ministry of Home Affairs was informed this.

DGPs and other senior officers of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, BSF and CRPF personnel attended the meeting. DGP Dr RP Sharma, IG of Police (Operations) RP Koche, and DIG of Police, SIW Naransingha Bhol participated.

It was decided to further intensify the inter-State anti-lWE operations in border areas.  Cut-off and Tulsi Dongri areas of Malkangiri district and Sunabeda Reserve Forest area of Nuapada district were the focus areas from Odisha perspective. Issues like deployment of security forces, up-gradation of security and civil infrastructure, up-gradation of intelligence and greater synergy with the security corces of the neighbouring States and CAPFs were discussed.

The meeting was told that while no CPI (Maoist) activities have been noticed in six districts of Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj and Nabarangpur, Maoist activity contained to a large extent in Nuapada, Boudh, Nayagarh, Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Deogarh and Sundargarh districts. However, the problem continues to be of concern in parts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Balangir and Bargarh districts in terms of movement and violent activities of CPI (Maoist).

The 52 incidents reported during 2017 included 15 incidents of exchange of fire. Nine security force personnel, including seven recruit drivers, a gram rakshi and a jawan, attained martyrdom during the year.

The number of civilian killings by Maoist has also come down in the State. Compared to 23 civilian killings reported in the State in 2016, 17 civilians died in Maoist violence in the State during the year 2017. Besides, during the year 2017, seven CPI (Maoist) cadres were neutralised, 35 arrested and 26 surrendered.