Maoists’ Martyr’s Week ahead, security forces alerted

BHUBANESWAR: As the Maoists have started their preparations to celebrate Martyr’s week that begins from July 28, the Odisha police and the central forces are on their toes to crack upon various groups of Red rebels operating in different parts of the State.

Maoist affected areas under the South-Western Range, the Southern Range and the Western Range of the Odisha police have started their combing operations keeping eye on the movement of ultras in the forests under the respective zones on the eve of the week.   

Though the security personnel are remained alert and collecting intelligence inputs about movements of the Maoists, incessant rains have hit anti-Maoist operations in Koraput, Rayagada and Malkangiri districts, with security personnel finding it difficult to move in the forests with overflowing rivers, inundated tracks and thick forets.

According to Inspector General of Police (South-Western range), Y K Jethwa, their anti-Maoist operations have been hit due to the unabated rain in these areas. “But our security forces were on high alert in view of the Martyrs Week,” he added.

Jethwa said that they keep extra vigil on bordering areas to prevent possible infiltrations of ultras coming from Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to Odisha for the observation. 

On the other hand, Southern Range of the Odisha Police has continued their combing operations amidst the incessant rain. Following the arrest of top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, the security personnel became more active in Kandhamal, Gajapati and Ganjam border areas in order to check the activities during the Martyr’s Week.     

According to Southern Range DIG Amitabh Thakur, they have continued their combing operations in two different areas of their zone. “We are planning to intensify the search operations in two more areas keeping in view of the Maoists’ celebration,” Thakur said, adding, “Though rain sometimes plays spoilsport during the operations, our security personnel keep eye on movement of the ultras and collect intelligent inputs from locals.”

Thakur said they are investigating about a new leader Shekhar who had written a letter to the police following the arrest of Panda. “Panda’s Odisha Maovadi Party had no base in the State during his arrest. So we are not worried about his impact,” he said.  

The Western range has also kept eye on the movement of ultras from Jharkhand border. The police have received intelligent inputs that several Maoists from Odisha and Jharkhand would meet in Saranda jungle to celebrate the Week.