Other States - Orissa   

Life disrupted in southern districts

BERHAMPUR: Through road blockades and disruption of public life naxals tried to show their strength in south Orissa on Wednesday, the last day of their ‘anti-repression week’.

Vehicular traffic had been disrupted on the State high way connecting Berhampur, Rayagada and Koraput since Tuesday night. Maoists had cut down trees at several places in Rayagada and Gajapati districts to block the road. Several large trees had been cut down near Birikote in Gajapati district near the Rayagada district border. The road could be cleared by evening. The stretch of the road between Rayagada and Gumuda was also blocked at many places with felling of trees.

In Koraput district the Maoists targeted the mobile tower of a private telecom company at remote Jaguguda village of Bandhugaon block. They damaged the maintenance room of the mobile tower.

It may be noted that naxals had tried to damage another mobile tower of a private telecom operator at remote Durgapadu village on the Andhra-Orissa border in Rayagada district on Saturday. Maoists blocked the Narayanpatna-Bandhugaon road in Koraput district at many places.

The Badhugaon-Parvatipuram road and Bandhugaon-Rayagada road were also devoid of vehicles due to blockade by naxals. As per reports the Maoists also burnt down files at forest and commercial check gates at Sidibalsa on the Andhra-Orissa border in Koraput district.

In Malkangiri district the Maoists burnt down an excavator used for digging ponds at MV-70 village under Kalimela police station.

They also disrupted road traffic between Malkangiri and Motu by felling trees at many places. Due to fear of landmines passenger vehicles remained off the road in Malkangiri district.

The naxal threat had its impact on interior parts of Rayagada district. Bazars remained closed at places like Gudari and Bisamkatak. Vehicular traffic was almost nil in interior parts of Rayagad district as through some posters the naxals had declared bandh in Rayagada district on the last day of their ‘anti-repression week’. No passenger vehicle travelled from Rayagada town to any part of the district.

Impact of the Maoists was felt most in Raipanka and Nalaghata areas of Mohana block in Gajapati district where they posted posters, banners and blocked roads. In Kandhamal district no passenger bus was plied from Phulbani to Berhampur. The road communication to Baliguda town also remained snapped due to activities of the Maoists.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Terracotta products on display
Tulasi Munda gets Kadambini Samman
Content on Rath Yatra launched
Infrastructure sought
Sage advise
Maoist bandh
Telugu Samakhya to print textbooks
OERC for proactive steps for developing renewable energy
Central schemes reviewed
Four die of malaria
Life disrupted in southern districts
IT firms seek infrastructure
More ART centres
ECoR extends cancellation
For a noble cause
HC reserves order on Congress MLA’s petition
BPUT students threaten to renew stir
Court to hear Lenka case next week

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu