6 June : With Maoists and anti-social elements targetting industrial hubs, Orissa government has started the process of forming a State Industrial Security Force (SISF) on the line of Central Industrial Security Force.The process of having a specialised force was expedited after Maoists recently attacked NALCO’s bauxite mines at Damonjodi and a steel company’s pipeline in Malkangiri."An official of the rank of inspector general of police will be commandant of the proposed SISF," said Director General of Police Manmohan Praharaj.He said SISF would be deployed in major industrial hubs in Rourkela, Damonjodi, Angul, Paradip, Kalinga nagar and Jhasrsuguda.
Initiatives to set up such a specialised force came in the wake of increasing industrial activities and the threat they faced.The state had so far signed nearly 73 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for investment of about Rs six lakh crore in next five years, government sources said.
"Since police is busy tackling different crimes, it will be proper to have a separate force to look after industrial security," Praharaj said.