Maoists trying to ‘rebuild’ Niyamgiri-Kashipur division

OST Bureau

Rayagada, Sep 12:

The massive cache of arms and ammunition recovered from the site of the encounter between security forces and Maoists yesterday in which one woman Maoist was killed is a clear indication that the Red rebels are in the process of strengthening their Niyamgiri-Kashipur (NK) division, which had suffered a big blow after an exchange of fire with Rayagada police last July, police said today.

“There have been intelligence reports about movement and activities of the NK division in recent times. They are trying to recruit youth from the tribal dominated areas of K.Singhpur, Kashipur and Niyamgiri,” the DIG of south range said in a press note issued today.

“The documents seized from the spot suggest that there are huge differences of opinion between Nikhil and Bunty over certain issues and there is a leadership crisis in the Niyamgiri-Kashipur division. Already some cadres are contacting their relatives to surrender and join the mainstream,” the press note said.

A woman Maoist was killed and a large cache of arms, ammunition and other articles were seized from the place after an encounter in the forests near Kadraka village under K Singhpur police station limits yesterday. Among the arms and ammunition seized were three .303 rifles, three .303 magazines, 53 rounds of .303 ball ammunition, an Insas magazine and 17 rounds of Insas ammunition.