Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120357510300.htm

Other States - Orissa

Security tightened in naxal-affected districts

Staff Reporter

Maoists observe PLGA week in southern Orissa

It is observed to draw youths into their fold
Anti-government posters put up in remote areas

BERHAMPUR: Security was tightened in naxal infested districts of south Orissa as the Maoists started their observation of ‘Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) week’ from Tuesday.

The Maoists observe this week to motivate youths into their fold. Communist Party of India (Maoist) activists had started distributing leaflets in remote areas of naxal infested Malkangiri, Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts. On Tuesday anti-government posters and banners came up in some remote areas of these districts. But no naxal violence was reported till evening from these areas. Security was beefed up in all these districts with extra watch on its borders to check movement of Maoist vagrants with nefarious motive.

The panic of the PLGA week observation was evident in remote areas of Malkangiri district. Usually naxals prefer to show up their strength through some landmine blasts during this period. Normal life was hit in three police station areas of Malkangiri district namely Kalimela, MV-79 and Motu. The passenger vehicles remained off road. Shops and business establishments remained closed in many villages of these police station areas. Through posters and banners posted in remote areas of Kalimela, MV-79, Motu, Bhejangwada and Podia, the Maoists urged the tribal youth to join the PLGA rather than the police force.

Naxal’s demand

Speaking to The Hindu over phone, the Malkangiri Superintendent of Police (SP), Satyabrata Bhoi said security had been tightened all round the district with combing operations at strategic points. All government establishments in the district were under extra vigil.

Similarly in Koraput district banners of naxals were seized from places of Narayanpatna block which has experienced much naxal activity in recent past.

In these banners written in Oriya the Maoists termed the present governments in the State and Centre to be exploitive. In adjoining Rayagada district naxals showed up their presence through banners put in Chandrapur and Muniguda blocks.

Naxal banners were sighted at Kumudabali, Agulu of Muniguda block and Jarapa, Chandrapur, Hanumantpur of Chandrapur block.

Naxals criticised the industrial policy of the Naveen Patnaik government in the State and demanded end of combing operations and withdrawal of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel from naxal infested districts.