JOIN USThe Maoists had blown up a police outpost in Kandhamal on Saturday.
Of the paramilitary forces deployed in the backward tribal-dominated district following last year’s communal strife, only five companies of the CRPF personnel are currently stationed in Kandhamal, and the Centre was planning to move them out by the end of July.
“The chief minister has requested the Union home minister to continue with the deployment of paramilitary forces in Kandhamal at least till September end,” S K Panda, public relations officer (PRO) to the chief minister, said.
He said the chief minister in his letter had also reminded the home minister about his earlier request to send seven more companies of the CRPF for deployment in other Naxal-affected districts in the state.
Stringent action
Meanwhile, Patnaik has promised to take “most stringent” action against Maoists who cause disturbances in the eastern state.
“Most stringent action will be taken against Maoists who are perpetrating violence in the state,” Chief Minister Navin Patnaik said here on Sunday while condoling the family members of sub-inspector of police, Ajit Bardhan, who was murdered by armed Naxalites in the tribal-dominated Sundergarh district of the state last Thursday.
The police officer’s body was cremated in the temple town of Puri on Sunday.