Orissa government trying its best to counter Maoists: Naveen Patnaik

Left wing extremism needs to be countered to restore the law of the land and Orissa government is trying its best to overcome the Maoist menace, Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik said today.

Elaborating on the steps adopted by his government, Patnaik, who returned from New Delhi, said more recruits have been absorbed in the special operation group and the anti-naxalite elite force to accelerate the fight against the Maoists.


''Maoist violence is unfortunate ... Other states too are experiencing the menace,'' he said.


Patnaik said socio-economic development of certain areas need to be expedited in order to tackle the ultras and the state government was working hard to implement at least eight road projects at a cost of Rs560 crore in the affected districts.


Though the state government had been trying to provide surface connectivity to the people in tribal dominated districts prone to Maoist activities, it could not progress due to opposition from the rebels, he added.