Attack Threat : Security in jails housing Maoists to be beefed up

OST Bureau

Bhubaneswar, Sep 19:

The Odisha government has decided to tighten security measures in and around the jails in Maoist-hit districts where the top Maoist leaders are kept.

The decision of the state government in this regard has come in the wake of the recent communication by the Centre to nine Maoist-affected states including Odisha, said state home secretary Bipin Saxena on Wednesday.

The Union Home ministry had said that the Maoists had become desperate to get their jailed leaders freed as the left wing outfit is left with a few leaders. There is every likelihood of Maoists attacking jails to free their leaders, it added.

The Koraput Circle Jail that was attacked by the left wing ultras in 2004 has 43 Maoists including dreaded Maoist leader Ghasi.

“We are prepared to tackle the situation by taking strong steps. We have increased security in jails. We are taking extra measures for the sensitive jails,” said DIG Devdutt Singh.

The Sambalpur circle jail authorities have become extra careful. “We have taken extra measures to curb any such attacks from the Maoists to release their cadres staying here,” informed jailor SK Rout.

Apart from Koraput and Sambalpur, there are 15 Maoists lodged in Parlakhemundi Jail, 10 in Rourkela Jail and 12 in Bonei Jail.

Presently, a number of Maoist leaders are also imprisoned in Brahmapur Central Jail, Rayagada Jail, Nayagarh Jail and Jharpada Jail.