CRPF to withdraw from Ganjam and Mayurbhanj

As part of its new strategy, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has decided to withdraw its troops from Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Ganjam districts, where Maoists activities have declined significantly in the recent years. Instead, the CRPF will focus more on Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Nuapada, which has Sunabeda forest range.

It was confirmed by CRPF DG Prakash Mishra, who is on a maiden visit to Odisha after assuming charge. The entire CRPF strategy will be revisited to combat the Maoist menace, he said. In the areas, where CRPF will be withdrawn, the Odisha Police and its special forces must take charge to prevent the rise of Maoist activities, he said.

Prakash Mishra had visited the Maoist-infested areas yesterday to take stock of the situation. He first visited Gajalbadi CRPF camp in Ganjam’s Sorada and then proceeded to Chandrapur in Rayagada district where he visited a unit of the 8th Battalion of CRPF. He held close door meetings with the top officials to review the situation.

Prakash Mishra was accompanied by CRPF IG (Intelligence) Pankaj Kumar, Director (Intelligence) Sunil roy, IG (Operations) Saumendra Priyadarshi and CRPF IG Zakir Hussain.