Malkangiri: With ultras observing martyrs’ week from Saturday, the police have clamped a security blanket over Maoist-dominated Koraput, Malkangiri and Rayagada districts.
The rebels observe martyrs’ week to mark the 46th death anniversary of Naxalite leader Charu Majumdar. As a precautionary measure, government bus services were also stopped in Malkangiri Saturday.
“Security has been beefed up in Maoist areas as they are observing martyrs’ week from July 28 to August 3. Though the security for Malkangiri, which is considered a stronghold of the ultras, has always been given top priority, combing operations have been intensified in border areas,” a police official said.
Additional forces have been deployed in districts sharing borders with Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, it was learnt.
This week, security at the Gurupriya bridge, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Thursday to provide transport facility to 151 villages, had kept the police on their toes as Intelligence reports hinted that Maoists might attack the bridge.
Although no untoward incident has been reported so far the surfacing of Naxal pamphlets and posters at some places in Muniguda area of Rayagada district has triggered panic among locals.
Besides, another poster of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) has surfaced along National Highway-59 at Midiapanga near Baliguda in Kandhamal district, urging youths to join the movement.
Malkangiri SP Jagmohan Meena said, “BSF camps and other troops have been asked to remain alert. Police personnel have been issued advisory to check unnecessary movements. Combing operations have been intensified by SOGs, DVFs and BSF in interior areas.”
Meanwhile, in Bargarh after a long gap Maoists’ have made their presence felt by putting up posters and banners at the Jhar Colony near Sohela under Padmapur sub-division Friday night.
The Bolangir-Bargarh-Mahasamund divisional committee of the outlawed CPI (Maoists) sought public support for martyrs’ week, starting Saturday through the posters. The posters also mention the rebels’ opposition to Operation Green Hunt.
Describing the problems of farmers, labourers, teachers, Anganwadi workers, accredited social health activists, workers engaged in 108 and 102 ambulances and the problems of postal and bank employees, the ultras urged them to fight from a common platform for their rights.
PNN