The naxalite attack on Nayagarha Police Station and few other police outposts in Orissa has exposed the chinks in the state’s police administration.
Naxalite networks have widespread and the Centre is taking serious notice
BHUBANESHWAR/NEW DELHI: The naxalite attack on Nayagarha Police Station, Police Training School, Armory, Dussapalla Police Station and few other police outposts on Friday night in Orissa has exposed the chinks in the state’s police administration. Thirteen police and one civilian were killed in the attack.
“We didn’t have prior information on a possible naxal attack,” admits DGP, Gopal Chandra Nanda, adding that borders with states like Andra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh have been sealed and combing operation is on.
In a planned attack, hundreds of armed Naxalites, including women cadres descended on several police stations at the district headquarters at about 11 on Friday night, carrying sophisticated weapons, captured the town and looted the district armoury in no time. They went on the rampage with bombs and grenade giving little time for the small police force to retaliate.
In February, 2004, naxalites also led a similar attack on Koraput district police armory and looted all weapons. But no casualty had been reported.
Though the state government has tried to play down the Naxal issue, the demand for the CM’s resignation has gained momentum.
Naveen Patnaik who is well known for his anti- UPA stand, immediately sought the help of Union home minister Shivraj Patil. Within hours, in a clear sign of the Centre’s willingness to escalate the ongoing standoff with the naxals, it ordered at least two air force helicopters into reconnaissance mission, while sending extra 600 CRPF personnel to join the hunt for the naxals.
With the Lok Sabha and assembly elections in mind, the opposition led by JB Patnaik on Saturday said the government had failed to maintain law and order in the state. “Naveen has lost the moral right to run the government. He should resign,” demanded JB. The uproar continued in the assembly for nearly two hours and the House was adjourned twice. Interestingly, all these areas where Naxalites attacked are ruling party BJD’s bastion.
Patnaik, who returned after a tour of the areas, asked finance minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai to cut short budget speech so that he could address the House.
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