Inspector General Dhirendra Kumar of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday said that BSF has made significant progress in Naxal-affected districts especially Koraput and Kalahandi in Odisha. Since its induction in 2010, BSF has made significant progress in the worst-affected districts, focusing on making areas like Koraput and Malkangiri Naxal-free. Kumar expressed confidence in ending the Naxal menace in Kandhamal and Kalahandi within the next 1.5 years.
Comparing the situation between 2019 and 2023, Kumar said the number of districts categorised as Naxal-affected has dropped from 13 districts in 2019 to 10 in 2023, with severe only limited to Kandhamal and Kalahandi.
“We have a total of 48 camps in Odisha and since we are entering Kandhamal. We have opened three new camps and one new camp is about to open in Boudh district. These camps are not in the hinterland or the highways, they are in the absolute remotest and inaccessible areas where the state machinery and government machinery are not able to reach, and we as part of the government are reaching out. Simultaneously we are carrying out a development programme, and social services scheme” Dhirendra Kumar said.
BSF has established new camps in Kandhamal, particularly in remote and inaccessible regions, emphasizing their commitment to security and control. With an eye on the upcoming 2024 elections, BSF has deployed 35 companies in Odisha, ensuring a coordinated effort with the government.
Kumar appealed to Naxals to surrender, stating, “We welcome any Naxal to surrender because it’s high time they should realize that their ideology no longer carries any weight. The state government already has a good surrender policy that rehabilitates them.”
The recent focus on districts like Kandhamal, Bodh, Kalahandi, and Nayagath has been crucial due to increased Naxal activities, leading to incidents of IEDs and encounters with security forces.
Certain districts like Kandhamal, Bodh, Kalahandi, and Nayagath have been witnessing increased Naxal activities, leading to incidents of IEDs and encounters with security forces. However, BSF has always given a befitting reply.
In a strategic decision, BSF established Border Outpost (COB) in the northern and northwestern areas of Kandhamal district adjoining Bodh district. This has proven to be a milestone in controlling Naxalite activities and making the state completely free from Naxalites.
As per the release, Swabhiman Anchal, once a Maoist-affected zone, has been completely freed from the clutches of the Maoists by the Border Security Force. Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon of Koraput district, once Naxal strongholds, were liberated from the Naxalites by the Border Security Force.
In recent times, the Border Security Force was successful in destroying many Maoist dumps in Koraput and Malkangiri. With the cooperation of the police administration, BSF has killed 65 deadly Naxalites since 2010.
According to the release, a total of 793 Naxals were detained. A total of 632 Naxalites have surrendered, and significant recoveries include 496 IEDs, 882 weapons, 810 rounds, 2875 kg explosives, 4499 grenades, 7299 detonators, 940 meters of cordex, 15.506 kg Ganja, approximately Rs 1 crore 10 lakh currency, etc.
Apart from strategic operations, the Border Security Force has played an important role in implementing public welfare schemes in Naxal-affected villages. The BSF aims to make the state completely free from Naxalites through its ongoing efforts.
(Inputs from ANI)