To tackle the Naxalite menace in the state, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday announced 10 measures, including fortification of police stations and armouries, and creation of a new battalion.

Patnaik made this announcement even as the massive combing operations continued in the forests of Ganjam and Kandhmal districts of southern Orissa where Maoists, who looted arms during a siege of Nayagarh district three days ago, had taken refuge. Security personnel recovered one of the two looted trucks with arms and ammunition.

The CM announced in the Assembly that 40 per cent of the looted weapons and 50 per cent of the ammunition had been recovered. The state Government had requested the Home Ministry for five more companies to be rushed to which they have agreed.

The other measures announced by the CM included filling up of all vacancies at the earliest, creation of 1,300 posts of constables and 300 posts of other ranks for the special armed police, strengthening of the special operation group by sanctioning 1,000 posts, and setting up five Indian Reserve battalion after obtaining the sanction of the Centre.

Police sources said security personnel were still engaged in gunbattles with the Maoists in the forests of Gosana, Gallery, Tarasingi, Tikabali, Kalinga Ghati on the borders of Ganjam and Kandhmal districts. The security personnel are also reported to have moved into thick forests. Figures of casualties could not be obtained as the security personnel had still not come out of the forests, sources added.

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