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Patnaik seeks funds, helicopters to fight Maoists

By IANS,

New Delhi : Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Tuesday sought two helicopters and additional funds to tackle left wing extremism in the state.

Participating in the conference of chief ministers on internal security here, he stressed that four more districts – Kalahandi, Nuapada, Bargarh and Bolangir – need to be included under the special security related expenditure (SRE) scheme, in addition to the present 15 districts of the state.

He also sought early approval of the revised action plan of Rs.167.95 crore under this scheme for 2010-11.

Patnaik emphasised that two dedicated military helicopters should be placed, one each at Bhubaneswar and Koraput, as force multipliers, a senior official said.

Maoists are active in more then half of the state’s total area.