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Fortification of police stations sought

CUTTACK: In the wake of Friday’s Maoist attack on police in Nayagarh and looting of their arms, policemen in the State have squarely blamed the State Government for the recent upsurge of Naxalites in Orissa.

The Orissa Police Association (OPA) and Orissa Havildar, Constable and Sepoys’ Confederation, the largest police bodies in the State, in a joint press conference here on Sunday demanded adequate fortification of police stations and armoury to defeat the motive of the radical forces.

“We had been insisting for the last few years that the Naxalites are mainly aiming at attacking police stations and looting the police arms and ammunitions.

But despite our suggestions, the State Government has not taken any step to prevent it,” said OPA president S M Sharma and Confederation president Padmanav Behera.

“We demand adequate fortification of the existing police stations and three-tier security of the State armouries located in different districts,”

Mr. Behera said. “Instead of increasing the number of police stations in the State, the Government should first take steps to strengthen the existing police stations”, Sharma said.

Among other demands, the policemen call for a proper rehabilitation package for kin of policemen killed in Naxal attack after declaring the entire State naxalite-prone.

Every district should be provided with at least five more platoons of armed force and SOG jawans.

Improvement of the state intelligence department with a special intelligence cadre in state police should be made to collect information about the naxalites, the demand said.

The policemen also feel that the State police should have at least five helicopters always ready to provide reinforcements in case of any naxalite attack in any part of the State.

The policemen however are not short of confidence and gallantry.

“We are determined to fight the radical forces and teach them a lesson.

But we need a little support from government”, the policemen said hoping that since the state chief minister is heading the home department, their demands would be fulfilled soon.

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