Click to play videoOrissa: The crumpled remains of a mine-protected vehicle is all that is left after it blew up on Wednesday, killing 17 Orissa Policemen.
The constables thought they were secure in an armoured car, but paid the price of taking the naxals for granted. This is not the first time the police has erred.
Naxals, better motivated and better prepared, have been expanding operations steadily in the state even as the Orissa Police has been a mute spectator.
Orissa DGP, Gopal Chandra Nanda says, "This is an ongoing battle and Orissa had escaped the attack earlier. But since now the state has become easy target we will work out strong ways of meeting the situation. It took Andhra Pradesh almost two decades to control the naxal menace in that state. It will take at least three years for us to get that result."
The Union Home Ministry has asked for a complete report on the incident and offered the use of its Central forces including choppers for combing operations, but clearly this isn't enough if standard operating procedures are not followed.
Orissa has till now been a ringside spectator to the naxal violence, first in Andhra Pradesh and then in Chattisgarh. With the spillover effect now being felt in the state, the special operations group finds itself sorely lacking.
(With inputs from Meetu Jain in New Delhi)
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
More on IBNLive Right Now
TOP NEWS
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
