Bhubaneswar, February 17: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Odisha on March 7 on a day-long visit to the State.

During the visit, he is scheduled to attend two official Government programmes. He will travel to Mundali in Cuttack district to participate in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Raising Day celebrations at the CRPF campus.

The Union Home Minister is also likely to review the ongoing anti-Naxal operations in the State and assess the implementation and preparedness related to the Central Reserve Police Force.

In addition, discussions may be held regarding the rollout and enforcement of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

For the context, the Central Government has a set target to eradicate Naxalism before March 31, since Naxalism is seen as the biggest obstacle in the development of remote areas and tribal villages, as it prevents education, healthcare, connectivity, banking, and postal services from reaching these villages.

The Government of India has adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards left-wing extremism and with 100% implementation of government schemes, it seeks to fully develop the LWE-affected areas.

Recently, Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting in Raipur in Chhattisgarh, weeks ahead of the Central Government’s stated deadline to eradicate Naxalism in the country. Top police officials from Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Telangana also took part in the discussions. Senior security leadership was also present, including the Directors General of the CRPF, BSF, ITBP and the NIA.

Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, which includes seven districts and shares borders with Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, has traditionally been regarded as the strongest base of Maoist activity. However, intensified anti-Naxal operations over the past few years have considerably weakened the Maoist movement in the region.