Date:30/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/30/stories/2008093057680100.htm

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Enough forces in Orissa, says Centre

Special Correspondent

Orissa sought 10 more companies
Asked to make use of anti-naxalite forces also

NEW DELHI: As communal violence in Kandhamal district of Orissa continues, the Centre has asked the State government to “properly deploy” the companies of Central paramilitary forces already available with it.

Though Orissa made a request last week for 10 more companies, highly placed sources in the Home Ministry told The Hindu on Monday that the State government was asked to make do with the 67 companies at its disposal.

While 43 companies were earmarked for communal violence-hit Kandhamal district, the other 24 were meant for anti-naxalite operations, sources said, adding that the strength was sufficient for its needs and what was needed was optimum deployment.

Advisory capacity

Since deployment was in the hands of the State government, the Home Ministry could act only in an advisory capacity and send guidelines, the sources pointed out.

“The State government has been told that the Home Ministry is already burdened with requirements of the internal security situation in other States, so it would be difficult for it to spare additional forces for Orissa for the time being. The State government can also utilise the Central forces kept for anti-naxalite operations and deploy them to control communal violence,” they said.

According to inputs available with the Home Ministry, the State government has already initiated action in shuffling the Central forces and deploying them in communal violence-hit areas.

Last Thursday, Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta had sent a stern message to Orissa Chief Secretary A.K. Tripathi, taking a serious view of “apparent lawlessness” in some parts of the State.

Reminding the State government that substantial paramilitary forces were made available to it to deal with the communal violence, Mr. Gupta said there was scope for optimum deployment.

He asked it to restore normality and take stringent action against those involved in acts of communal violence and attacks on the minority community.

Special Secretary (Internal Security) M. L. Kumawat too had described the situation in Orissa as “pretty bad” as churches and prayer houses continued to be vandalised in a systematic manner.