Maoists, security men exchange fire in Sambalpur forest

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Jujumura (Sambalpur), Apr 4:

After a gap of three weeks, there are reports of another encounter between the Maoists and the security personnel inside the Gudguda forest under Meghapal panchayat of Jujumura block in Odisha’s Sambalpur district on Thursday.

According to reports, the Special Operation Group (SOG) and the CRPF personnel were on a combing operation on Thursday following information about the presence of some Maoists inside Gudguda forest area between Tamparsingha and Marangbahal villages.

During the operation, the Maoists suddenly opened fire at the security personnel who immediately retaliated.

After 30 minutes of exchange of fire, the Maoists fled the area.

However, reports said, there was another round of exchange of fire around 5 PM that continued for over an hour.

Talking to media persons on Thursday evening, Sambalpur SP Pratik Mohanty said the combing operation in the area has been intensified further.

He, however, refused to give details of the encounter due to security reasons.

It may be mentioned that Junu Dehuri, a hardcore Maoist and a native of Tamparsingha village, is presently leading the Maoist outfit in the area in collaboration with some top cadres of the outlawed party from the neighbouring Jharkhand.