Centre will oppose any form of violence by CPI (Maoist): HM

P Chidambaram

26 June : Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on a two-day visit to Orissa, met Kandhamal riot victims and took stock of law and order situation in the state and further reiterated that there is no room for Naxal violence.

Chidambaram also met Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and discussed various issues with him.He said that the central government would provide all assistance to the state government to combat Left wing extremism.

Later, addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar, the Home Minister assured that there is no room for Naxal violence.The Home Minister visited Mandaika, Rahikola, Tinigia and Tikabali camps in the district providing shelter to about 1,500 people.

Worried over youths joining Maoists in Orissa, the state government today asked the Centre to induct tribals in the defence forces.  “The Naxal groups are taking help of tribals and using them against the state…More tribals should be recruited in defence forces by making modification in the physical standard,” Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told newspersons in Bhubaneshwar after talks with Union Home Minister P Chidambaram.Once the tribal youths get a chance in the defence forces, they would “certainly not fall in line with the Maoists”.Stating that tribals were genetically of short height but physically strong, he said they could be taken in the defence force if suitable modification was made.

The state government also demanded more central force, both on long and short term basis, funds to develop training and choppers to fight Maoists.

“While the Centre provided 14 battalions to Chhattisgarh, Orissa got only four,” Patnaik said, adding additional four battalions were required on long term basis and three others for border areas.