Anti-Maoist op stepped up in Nayagarh

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Nayagarh, May 3:

After receiving information about the presence of a large group of Maoists, who are reportedly camping inside the Baisipalli sanctuary in Daspalla area of Odisha’s Nayagarh district, a joint combing operation is underway in the area, reports said.

Sources said Nayagarh SP Bhagyadhara Behera, visited Daspalla on Thursday night to take stock of the situation following intelligence inputs about the Maoist group.

A combing operation has begun in the sanctuary area since Friday morning, sources added.

On April 10, local newspapers had carried reports on the movements of a Maoist group in a forest near the Badasilinga panchayat under Gania police station limits.

Following these reports, the police came to know about the existence of a Maoist camp in the area but by the time police operation began, the ultras had already shifted the camp to an unknown location deep inside the forest.

Suspecting the left wing ultras may be hiding inside the Baisipalli sanctuary, one platoon of Odisha Special Security Force (OSSF) personnel had been deployed at both Daspalla and Banigochha police stations, as a precautionary measures

There are reports that more than 130 Maoists including 16 women cadres have entered into Baisipalli sanctuary via Ranisahi and Talagan panchayat in the neighbouring Boudh district three days ago.

Sources said, while one group of Maoists has camped near Pokharigochha under Banigochha police station, the other group is camping near Senpari, Bankajhari, Duisingh and Dhipasahi villages of Badasilinga panchayat under Gania police station.

According to eyewitness accounts, about eight Maoists were found moving along Andharakot-Ghugudipada road under Daspalla police station three days ago.

Acting on a tip-off that the Maoists were planning to attack Daspalla police station, one platoon of OSSF and two platoons of Special Operation Group (SOG) forces were rushed to Daspalla police station on Thursday night. The Banigochha and Gania police stations were temporarily closed and the Nayagarh-Daspalla road, sealed.

While the Nayagarh SP refused to provide details of the ongoing anti-Maoist operation, reliable sources said the two platoons of SOG have began combing operation along with the OSSF personnel inside Baisipalli sanctuary.

Fearing Maoist attacks, traders and business establishments in Daspalla town are downing their shutters by 7 PM since Thursday, the reports said.