By IANS,
Bhubaneswar : Orissa has asked the central government for seven battalions of central paramilitary forces to launch a large scale offensive against the Maoists, a senior police official said Friday.
“The government has asked the centre to provide seven battalions of paramilitary forces (about 7,000 personnel). We are still waiting for them,” Inspector General of Police (Operations) Sanjeev Marik told IANS.
“Although the police have been launching operations against the Maoists from time to time, for a large scale offensive we need these forces,” he said, adding that the government has also requested for a helicopter to use in the operations.
Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, during his visit to the state in June, had asked the state police to remain prepared for a large scale offensive against the rebels and assured to provide adequate central forces.
Although the exact date of the confrontation has not been finalized, the official said they have been asked by the central government to remain prepared.
Maoists are active in more than half of Orissa’s 30 districts.