Malkangiri/Koraput: A dawn-to-dusk bandh called by the Maoists in Koraput and Malkangiri districts against the death of three ultras in police encounters received lukewarm response Tuesday.
Several posters were found put up by the Malkangir-Koraput- Visakhapatnam border zonal committee of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) at Muduliguda near Kudumulugumma-Nandiniguda, Orangi under Balimela police limits in Malkangiri district and Hatibari near Nandapur in Koraput district protesting the killing of three cadres in encounters. The ultras had urged the locals to make the bandh successful.
However, shops at Malkangiri were found open during the 12-hour bandh. The vehicles, which were coming to the district headquarters, were strictly searched by the police. Similarly, combing operation in the Maoist dominated places was intensified. All the police stations were asked to be alert and keep a close eye on the activities of the rebels.
Andhra-Odisha Border special zonal committee of CPI (Maoist) has called the bandh to protest the death of Maoist Meena October 12 and two other cadres, Sushil and Sulita, November 5 in police encounters.
On the other hand, several posters opposing the bandh called by the Maoists were found at Hatibari near Nandapur and Khairaput area.
PNN