The Orissa government on Friday banned the Communist Party of India-Maoist and seven of its frontal organisations.

The seven banned organisations are the Damana Pratirodha Mancha, Revolutionary Democratic Front, Chasi Mulia Samiti, Kui Lawenga Sangha, Jana Natya Mandali, Krantikari Kissan Samiti and Bal Sangram.

The state government also announced a comprehensive rehabilitation policy for left-wing extremists who surrender.

The decision to declare the organisations unlawful was taken in a three-hour long cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. "We have got intelligence inputs from various sources about their involvement in violence. Then only did the cabinet decide to impose the ban," Chief Secretary Subas Pani said.

"The frontal organisations have been providing platforms to Naxalites to propagate their ideology. The activities of these organisations are interfering with the maintenance of law and order. The activities also constitute danger to public peace," Home Secretary Santosh Kumar said.

Kumar elaborated that although the state government banned these organisations under Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 1908, in effect the office bearers of these organisations would not be arrested. Their continuing open support to Naxalites in form of public agitation would amount to offence.

"It will lead to their arrest", Kumar said.