Maoists shift base to remote areas of Koraput in Odisha!

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Koraput, July 25:

Aware of their declining influence in Narayanpatna and Bandhugan blocks of Odisha’s Koraput district due to the presence of central para-military forces, the Maoists have now found a safe area of operation in the remote areas in Pottangi and Nandapur blocks of the district, reliable sources said.

The red rebels, who had failed to observe the Martyr’s Week for the last three years owing to frequent combing operations by the central para-military forces, are now preparing in full swing in their new hideout to observe the week successfully, they added.

With the Martyr’s Week scheduled to commence from July 28, the Maoists have circulated several posters and banners at Amphabali, Golur, Talagolur and Pateru in the remote areas of Pottangi and Nandapur areas wherein they have urged the people to observe the week in large numbers in memory of 525 comrades who were killed during encounter with the police and the central forces in the country in the last one year.

The Maoists, who observe the Martyr’s Week every year in memory of their two top leaders —Charu Mazumdar and Kanhu Sanyal— and their comrades who had fallen to the bullets of the security personnel, usually indulge in violence in retaliation against the death of their comrades.

Meanwhile, acting on the intelligence report, the district police, the CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) unit and the central para-military personnel have been asked to remain on high alert to foil the subversive activities of the Maoists.

All entry points of the district have been sealed, while the security personnel deployed at these places have intensified checking of vehicles.

Besides, combing operations have been intensified in the Maoist prone areas of Narayanpatna, Bandhugan, Baipariguda and Lamtaput blocks and in the forest areas of Nandapur and Pottangi blocks.