Orissa asks for 7 battalions of CPMF

Apprehending mass influx of left wing extremists into the state following anti-naxal operation in adjacent Chhattisgarh, Orissa on Saturday asked the Centre to provide at least 7,000 central para-military force immediately.

Apprehending mass influx of left wing extremists into the state following anti-naxal operation in adjacent Chhattisgarh, Orissa on Saturday asked the Centre to provide at least 7,000 central para-military force immediately.

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"Since the operation is taking place very close to Orissa border, it is urgent to send additional central force to the state," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told reporters.

"It is most urgent to send the central force now," he said in a letter to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram.

The state government needed to remain in 'high alert'as the anti-naxal operation was being carried out in "close neighbourhood", the letter said.

"We apprehend influx of ultras as Dantewada in Chhattisgarh is only 40 km from us," said Inspector General of Police (Operation) Prakash Mishra.

Top police officials held several reviews of the situation in the state and it was decided to issue high alert in Malkangiri district bordering Dantewada in Chhatishgarh and alert in Maoist-hit districts like Koraput, Rayagada and Gajapti in southern region and Sundergarh, Keonjhar, Sambalpur and Deogarh in western region.

Northern districts like Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj were also asked to remain alert, Mishra said.