‘210 securitymen among 435 killed by Maoists in Odisha in last 14 years’

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, July 21:

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik today informed the state Assembly that Maoists have killed 435 persons, including 210 police personnel, during the last 14 years while security personnel had eliminated 139 rebels during the same time.

Replying to a written question from Rourkela MLA Dilip Ray, Patnaik said while 210 security personnel were killed by ultras, 218 others were injured in Maoist violence.

The chief minister said 225 civilians were also killed and 119 others had sustained injuries in Maoist attacks during the period.

“Maoist activities of different magnitude are witnessed in certain pockets of 19 districts of Odisha,” Patnaik said.

During the period, Patnaik said 1,916 ultras, militia, supporters and assistants of Maoists had been arrested while 355 rebels surrendered before the police between 2000 and 2013.

The Maoists have looted 1,907 guns and about 1,72,656 bullets during that period, Patnaik said.