Bhubaneswar: Union Home Secretary GK Pillai says on Friday Orissa to get more central forces after Jharkhand election to tackle Maoist menace. This was stated by Pillai after a review meeting with the State’s officials on Maoist issue.

Stating that the Union Home Ministry had some problems due to the recent Assembly elections in Maharashtra, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh, Pillai said forces were now needed for polls in Jharkhand. The Union Home Secretary also stressed on cooperation between the states affected by the Maoist menace, which seems to be the key in flushing out the rebels from the country.

“Anti-Maoist operations are a continuous process. The Centre will help States to the best of its ability,” Pillai said while replying to a question on delay in launching a joint operation in the State. “We have recommended to the Finance Commission to give more grants to the State for anti-Maoist operations,” he said. Though the State had increased its police strength, it could make fresh recruitment for providing jobs to youth and security to people, he said. “All States including Orissa is short of police forces,” he said. “We have asked the centre to provide more funds for police modernisation,” Tarun Kanti Mishra, chief secretary said.

Pialli also said the Centre has no plans to make an aerial attack on Maoists. “Maoists are getting arms and ammunition from other countries like Myanmar and Bangladesh. They are also getting Chinese weapons,” he said.

In the afternoon, Pillai also visited the SOG training Centre at Chandka. Later in the evening, he flew back to Delhi. Chief Secreatry TK Mishra, Home Secretary AP Padhi, DGP Manmohan Praharaj and other senior officials attended the meeting.