BHUBANESWAR: Expressing concern over the increasing Maoist attacks in the State, the Orissa Government on Monday announced that it is chalking out strategies to counter the menace. Maoists have killed at least 22 persons since February.District Voluntary Force (DVF) and elite anti-Maoist Special Operations Group (SOG) are working in tandem to face the challenges, Chief Secretary Bijay Patnaik told mediapersons here. The Government has got flak because of the killing of police and tribals by the ultras during the last one week. The killings were also condemned by the Maoist-appointed mediators Prof Hargopal and Dandapani Mohanty. They vitiated the atmosphere when the process is on for implementation of the 14-point agreement, the two mediators said on Sunday. Patnaik said the State cannot allow such a situation to continue for more time. Stating that the Maoists have breached the agreement with the government and went on killing spree, Patnaik said there was no point in not taking coercive action against them. One of the points in the 14-point agreement reached between the two parties for the release of former Malkangiri collector R Vineel Krishna was that the State Government would not initiate coercive action till the Maoists created law and order problem. The State Government is also worried over the low morale of police after killing of a constable and a homeguard in Machhkund area in Koraput district. Agreeing to the reports that five homeguards have expressed desire to quit their jobs, Patnaik said the State Government would take all measures to ensure that they work without any fear.Dandapani Mohanty had alleged that a section of police and political parties are trying from the beginning to sabotage the implementation of the agreement. The mediators also maintained that the possibilities for further talks between them and the Government should be explored. Sources in the Home Department, however, ruled out further talks as the situation is deteriorating day by day.
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