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Normal life is hit as Maoists begin protest week

BERHAMPUR: Normal life was affected in tribal districts of south Orissa as Maoists began a protest week on Thursday. However, no untoward incident was reported from any place.

Panic gripped remote areas of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada and Gajapati districts. Naxals also made their presence felt in remote areas of Daringbadi block in Kandhamal district by pasting posters since Wednesday. A large number of naxal posters were found near Adaba in Gajapati district. On Wednesday night a group of armed naxals had entered Gudari town in Rayagada district and threatened the local traders to keep their shops closed during the protest week.

In many interior areas of these districts both passenger buses and commercial vehicles remained off road. The affect of the Naxal fear was more evident in Malkangiri district. Roads from district headquarters town to Motu, Orkel and Chitrakonda wore deserted look as people and vehicles remained away from roads due to fear of landmine blasts. Maoists also blocked roads at several locations in interior areas by felling trees during night. Shops, business establishments in the district remained closed and public transport system was extremely affected. Shops and business establishments were also closed in interior areas of Rayagada, Koraput and Gajapati districts.

Malkangiri SP Satish Gajbhiye said massive combing operations were on along the border of Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh to check cross-border infiltration of Maoists during the week which would end on July 2. All naxal prone areas in the district are under watch. Two Deputy Inspector Generals R.P. Koche of southern range and Sanjeev Panda of south western range have been monitoring the security measures.

As per the posters and banners of the Maoists their anti-repression week is being observed against alleged police action against tribals and innocent people, who raise their voice against exploitation. They have also demanded release of persons, who have been arrested after being branded as naxals and lifting of ban on seven organisations in the state, which were alleged to be pro-naxal frontal organisations.

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