Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday said the overall law and order situation in the state has remained by and large peaceful while the Maoist violence has come down."Intensity of overall Maoist violence has come down in the state during the year 2015 and 2016 so far. There is significant reduction of Maoists' strength in the state," he told the assembly during the discussion of demands on Home and General Administration departments.Patnaik said 48 Maoists including state committee members have been neutralised while 88 ultras members have been arrested and 95 have surrendered in the state during the2015 and 2016 (till November 30).Besides, a large number of pro-Maoist militias and sympathizers have publicly announced the withdrawal of their support from the Maoists in Malkangiri district, which is a very encouraging development, he added.
"Attempts by Maoists to intensify their activities in Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Boudh and Nayagarh districts have been contained due to pro-active police action," said the Chief Minister.In order to increase the mobile telephone connectivity in affected areas, 248 towers have been operationalised and proposal for installation of 518 more towers covering the districts has been sent to the centre for approval, said Patnaik.Speaking of crime against women, he said the government has created several institutional mechanisms like Integrated Anti-Human Trafficking Units, Investigation Units for Crime against Women and Mahila and Sishu Desks with commensurate manpower."All women related heinous crimes are regularly monitored and Special Public Prosecutors are engaged. In order to augment the capacity of the police force, 238 new posts in different ranks have been created during 2016," he said.He said the vigilance has registered 496 criminal cases this year against 1004 accused persons including 135 class-I officers, 79 class-II officers, 511 class-III employees and others.During this period, 315 have been arrested including 32 class-I officers, he added.