Orissa govt pleads for extension of CRPF forces

The Orissa government has pleaded the Centre to not withdraw the CRPF forces from the communally sensitive Kandhamal.

The CRPF forces were to leave the state once the first phase of the polling had concluded. The state government however has requested the extension of the 15 company of CRPF for few more weeks.

Kandhamal was able to peacefully go to the polls on April 16 with protection rendered by the armed battalions. There were less incidents of violence during the election.

For the second phase, if the Centre withdraws the CRPF, Inspector General of Police Arun Sarangi, said police and SOG will be deployed in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Jajpur and Dhenkanal where the naxal hold is strong.

The CRPF forces were deployed in the state after the murder of Swami Laxmananada Saraswati and four of his disciples at Jalespeta ashram. The govt had initially dispatched 40 companies of central paramilitary forces.