Sabyasachi arrest: Odisha CM’s statement

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, July 18:

The following is the official statement read out by Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik today in the Assembly on the arrest of Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda.

“I would like to inform the August House that most wanted Maoist Sabyasachi Panda was arrested by police last night from Berhampur. The arrest of Sabyasachi Panda who carried a high reward on his head is a big achievement of Odisha Police.

“Sabyasachi Panda was active in the “Maoist Movement” in the State for more than two decades. He was the guiding spirit behind formation of Chasi Mulia Samiti and Kui Lawenga Sangha in 1995 in Rayagada and Gajapati districts. Both these organizations were the foundations for spreading Maoist network in those areas.

“He was the founder of Bansadhara and Ghumusur Divisions of Odisha State Committee (OSC) and the Secretary of Odisha State Organizing Committee (OSOC) of CPI (Maoist) till 2012. He was operating in Southern Odisha including the districts of Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal and Nayagarh.

“Sabyasachi Panda was involved in numerous sensational cases like the Nayagarh and R. Udayagiri armoury loot, killing of Swami Laxmananand Saraswati, abduction of two Italian nationals and blowing up of ambulance in Kandhamal besides overall involvement in killing of 25 security personnel and 34 civilians.

“I am sure this August House will join me in congratulating all the police personnel particularly the Intelligence Wing and Berhampur Police who participated in this operation.

“The State Government will reward the police personnel for this spectacular achievement.

“I also take opportunity to appeal to the Maoists to shed violence and join the mainstream.”