Odisha constitutes Unified Command to fight Maoists

In a bid to execute anti-Maoist strategies in a planned manner, Odisha government has constituted a state-level Unified Command to deal with Left Wing Extremism, officials said today. The decision to set up the Unified Command was taken at a recent meeting in Delhi. The eight-member command would be headed by the chief secretary with representatives from security organisations and civil service.

The constitution of the Unified Command (UC) was notified by the state home department here yesterday.

While development commissioner (DC) was taken as a member of the UC, home department secretary would function as member convenor.

The Director General of Police (DGP), Inspector General (IG) of Police (operation), CRPF IG (operation), Representatives of Intelligence Bureau and state intelligence would also work as members of the UC. While security and intelligence officials would plan security operations, civil service officers would execute socio-economic activities in Maoist-hit regions, sources said.

"With UC in place, the menace of Left Wing extremism could be dealt in two fronts like anti-Maoist operations and developmental activities," said a senior official in the home department.

With Central para-military force men engaged in anti-Maoist operations in various states, it was proposed to
utilise the service of a retired major general in each Maoist-hit state. The selected major general would then be included as a member of the UC.