Malkangiri: Maoist activities have risen sharply in the country as the 2019 general elections are drawing near, a report said Wednesday.
The Maoists have entered into an offensive mode with reports of violence between the ultras and security forces coming in from various parts of the country.
According to latest reports, security forces scored a major success Wednesday by shooting dead three ultras and injuring many during a combing operation at a jungle in between Markaguda and Muler in Chhattisgarh on the fringes of Malkangiri district.
The security forces also managed to arrest some of them and seized a 315 bore gun, four country made guns and various articles from the spot. Combing operation has been intensified in the area and a search is on to ascertain if more ultras died during the exchange of fire.
This has spread panic among the people in the Maoist affected districts in the country as the district administration here imposed restrictions on the visits of government officials and public representatives to remote areas in the district.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has started making preparations for the general elections by issuing directions to all the district administrations to make preparations for the upcoming polls. The political parties have also entered into election mode by starting preparations for selection of candidates for various Assembly and Lok Sabha segments.
The ultras have intensified their tirade against the establishment by indulging in violent activities. They are regrouping their cadres and people in remote hamlets in the country and indulging in violence against the security forces and people.
Two days back, the ultras opposed the construction of Gurupriya Bridge by organising a meeting (Prajameli) of gullible villagers in the cut-off area of Chitrakonda. They alleged that the construction of Gurupriya Bridge on Janbai River is wrong when six panchayats in the area lack any development. Sensing the mood of the ultras, the security forces have intensified their combing operations.
The Maoists have also kidnapped a student, Mukesh Padiami, from Bheji in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh for the first time and unsuccessfully tried to set a vehicle carrying PDS items on fire. A week back, the ultras shot dead an MLA and a former MLA in Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh but the assailants are yet to be arrested.
PNN