Orissa govt blames Centre to mask its inefficiency: Oppn

Stepping up the ante against the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) over abduction of Laxmipur MLA, the Opposition questioned the ability of the government to combat Naxal insurgency, alleging that the government has bowed to the threat of the outlawed ultras.

Initiating discussion on an adjournment motion on the kidnapping of the MLA, Opposition Chief Whip Prasad Harichandan said, “The abduction of the Laxmipur MLA Jhina Hikaka has not just affected us, it has also impacted the tribals of his constituency. The Naxals are carrying out abductions at gunpoint and this government has bowed to them. The incidents of abductions not only pose a challenge to the government, but also prove that this government does not exist.”

Refuting the government's claim that Naxal insurgency has been brought down, Harichandan said Naxal sponsored violence has been on the rise since 2000 after the Naveen Patnaik led government came to power in the state. The Naxal insurgency has spread from two districts to 24 districts in the state during the BJD regime, he stated.

The government's helplessness in countering the menace of Red rebels has been vindicated by rising incidents of abduction and also killing of BJD MLA Jagabandhu Majhi, Harichandan said.

“This government blames the Centre to mask its own inefficiency in dealing with the Naxals. The fact remains that the Centre has provided adequate security forces to the state and is ready to provide more forces to combat Naxal insurgency. More than Rs 200 crore has been released to the state under Security Related Expenditure (SRE),” he added.

Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh demanded a CBI probe into the alleged nexus between the state government and Naxalites.

Responding to the allegations, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said, “The state government has received a communication through the media from the Srikakulam-Koraput divisional committee of the Andhra-Orissa Border Special Zonal Committee of the CPI (Maoists) claiming to have abducted our young MLA. Along with the demands of the Naxals, a letter purported to have been written by the MLA has also been received. The demands of the Naxals include stopping of the police combing operations and intelligence collection, withdrawal of all police camps, stopping of Green Hunt operations, stopping of release and demonstrations for the release of the MLA, unconditional release of the members of Chasi Mulia Sangha and other Naxalites confined in Koraput and Malkangiri jails, no police action in the name of anti-Naxal operation and implementation of all the demands made at the time of release of former Malkangiri collection R Vineel Krishna.”

"The Naxals have cautioned the government not to buy time or use the police to harm them. They have also asked for the immediate fulfillment of their demands, clarifying that they do not want any negotiations through mediators. These demands are now being examined by the government,” he added.