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Chief Minister to visit Malkangiri today

BHUBANESWAR: In an attempt to deflate growing criticism against his Government in the wake of frequent Maoist strikes in Malkangiri, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will visit the naxalite-affected district on Sunday.

Criticism against the State Government had started building up since the June 29 Maoist attack in Balimela reservoir when 38 persons were killed.

Things, however, seemed to be going out of hand for the State Government when Maoists triggered a landmine blast in Malkangiri on July 16 killing 17 policemen.

According to sources, during his visit to the naxal-infested district, Mr. Patnaik will interact with the police rank and file.

Lower rung police personnel had vented their anger on their bosses a day after the landmine blast. They had even prevented a Deputy Inspector General of Police from going near the bodies of the slain policemen.

Resentment among the policemen was growing as they had developed the feeling that they were being made scapegoats in the big fight against armed Maoists.

Criticism against Naveen Patnaik Government became shriller after the Balimela incident when State Home Secretary Tarunkanti Mishra made a statement saying the Greyhound force of Andhra Pradesh had made a tactical error by moving in a large group.

Moreover, no Minister, Director General of Police or the Home Secretary had visited Chitrakonda to oversee the rescue operations in the Balimela reservoir. Andhra Pradesh government had worked hard to recover the bodies of the jawans.

The Chief Minister had so far been managing to cope with the criticism over naxal attacks by saying that more such incidents were taking place in neighbouring naxal-infested States. However, this time he seems to be having no room for such excuse.

Nayagarh arms loot, Balimela boat ambush and MV-126 village landmine blast have made Mr. Patnaik find himself in a tight spot.

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