Orissa to seek Central ban on PWG

By Prafulla Das

BHUBANESWAR, AUG. 21. In its attempt to check the naxalite menace in as many as 11 police districts of the State, the Orissa Government has decided to urge the Centre to impose a countrywide ban on the People's War Group.

According to the State Home Secretary, Mr. T.K. Mishra, the issue of a ban on PWG in all States will be raised by the State Director General of Police when the latter attends the conference of the heads of police departments of different States in New Delhi next month.

``A Central ban on the PWG was necessary because after committing crimes in one State, the naxalites were taking shelter in the neighbouring States,'' Mr. Mishra observed.

``We are hopeful that the Centre will impose such a ban,'' Mr. Mishra said. ``If the Centre does not oblige, the State Government will ban the PWG on its own.''

He said that the State Government would also urge the Centre to prepare a package for rehabilitation of those naxalites who surrender on their own.

In another development, the State Government has decided to seek financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 300 crores from the Centre to strengthen the intelligence system and modernise the police in the naxalite affected districts, which include Malkangiri, Nawrangpur, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj.

The State Chief Secretary, Mr. D.P. Bagchi, is leaving for New Delhi tomorrow to hold discussions with the top officials of the Union Home Ministry about the financial assistance that was required to modernise the State police, according to Mr. Mishra.

The Home Secretary, who visited Malkangiri, district a few days ago, said that it has been decided to close the anti- naxalite police posts (ANPPs) in the naxalite-infested areas as the naxalites were attacking the armed police booths in large numbers with the intention to take away the arms.

While the normal police stations will continue to function as usual, the armed police personnel, who were manning the ANPPs, will now be stationed at the district headquarters. The armed personnel will carry out long range patrolling by forming larger groups.

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