SP, Koraput Varun Guntapalli on Sunday advised people not to go near any kind of Maoist posters bearing warning and boycott call for elections as it could be a trap laid by the ultras not only create untoward incidents but also disrupt the polls.
The public have been requested to immediately inform the police in case of sporting such Maoist posters or any other suspicious activities.
A few days ago, a journalist was killed while covering news on Maoist posters after coming in contact with an improvised explosive device (IED), which was allegedly planted by Maoists in Madanpur Rampur block of Kalahandi district.
Even if this is the first such instance of a journalist in Odisha getting killed in alleged Maoist violence, civilians have often lost their lives in landmine mishaps too.
Last week, a youth was also killed when a landmine, suspected to have been laid by Maoists, went off near Sadingia- Kiamunda in Kandhamal district.
Security experts say that left-wing extremists usually increase their activity during elections and resort to violent measures to target the police by planting IEDs and break the confidence of the public from taking part in the polls.
Koraput will go to polls in five phases starting from February 16. As per police sources, around 600 booths out of 2973 in the district have been notified as sensitive zones. In order to keep an eye on security measures, one constable will be deployed at all such sensitive booths during the polls.
Adequate security arrangements have also been put in place for smooth conduct of polling exercise in Kotia region hit by border dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Koraput SP chaired a preparatory meeting with police officials from the district on Sunday for the election exercise.
This time around, the ultras went a step ahead and hung banners and posters at Radhigumma government High School under Kotagad Police limits in the district. The posters were sighted on Saturday.
With the three tier Panchayat elections getting nearer, the ultras seem to have intensified their violence in a bid to disrupt the democratic process.
Not only in Kandhamal, the Maoists have called upon to boycott elections by putting up posters in Bhawanipur and Laxmipur areas of Kalahandi as well, making the locals panic.
On Wednesday, a youth, Priyaranjan Kanhar was killed when a landmine, laid by Maoists, went off near Sadingia- Kiamunda under Phiringia police limits in Kandhamal district.
On February 5, journalist Rohit Kumar Biswal, who worked as a reporter for a local vernacular daily, was killed in an explosion near Karlakhunta Bridge in Mohangiri area under Madanpur Rampur police limits in Kalahandi when he went to cover the news about the ultra’s warning to locals to boycott the forthcoming Panchayat elections.
Meanwhile, the Southern Range Inspector General of Police (IGP), Satyabrata Bhoi on Tuesday had assured the people living in the Red corridors of the State to not get intimidated by the poll boycott call given by the Maoists.
The posters were claimed to be put up by the Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division of the CPI (Maoist).
Residents of villages in Barakhama, Midiakia, Bataguda and Rebingia panchayats in Balliguda block noticed the posters in the morning, Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) G R Rahgabendra said.
The handwritten notes warned people not to venture into forests as bombs and land mines have been planted at many places.
It urged people to attack the joint squad of police and excise officials who come for destruction of cannabis plants, besides the armed forces deployed in combing operations, the SDPO said.
Security personnel misbehave and torture women in many instances in a habitual manner during such operations, the posters read.
An investigation is underway, Rahgabendra added.
The ultras have demanded to stop violence against the tribals and the ongoing anti-Maoist operations by the Central Government. Earlier, similar posters were found at the Kirikuti and Patangi area of the district.
Maoist posters were also recovered from Chandahandi-Jharigaon ghat in Nabarangpur district on the last day of the Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) week yesterday. In the posters, CPI (Maoist) urged the people to continue their protest to protect water, forest and land of the tribals.
Earlier, posters and banners were also found in various places of Koraput and Malkangiri districts last week and called for a bandh in these districts.
In the posters, CPI (Maoist) urged people to continue with their agitation to protect water, forest and land of the tribals.
On receiving information, Jharigaon police rushed to the spot and seized the posters.
Meanwhile, combing and anti-insurgency operations have been intensified in Maoist-dominated districts and in the bordering areas of Odisha to avoid any untoward incident, sources said.
Earlier, posters and banners were found in various places of Koraput and Malkangiri districts last week. The red rebels had also called for a bandh in these districts and urged locals to observe the PLGA week. On the other hand, bus services in several Maoist affected districts were hit due to the observance of the PLGA week.
The posters bearing the name of Gumma area Committee of CPI (Maoist) have been put up during the 18th anniversary of PLGA(Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army) week observed by the red rebels, who have urged everyone to observe the PLGA week.
Meanwhile, combing and anti-insurgency operations have been intensified in naxal-dominated districts and in the bordering areas of Odisha as the PLGA week will be observed till December 8.
Earlier, posters and banners were found in various places of Koraput and Malkangiri districts through which the ultras called for bandh in these districts and urged people to observe the PLGA week.
Police officials are conducting regular patrolling in the areas to counter any untoward incident. On the other hand, bus services in the Maoist affected districts have been hit due to the observance of the PLGA week.
In Rourkela, the red rebels have reportedly put up posters in all the trains under Chakradharpur railway division, sparking panic in the region.
Through the posters, the Maoists have urged the locals to observe the foundation week in every village and celebrate it in high spirits.
Adequate security measures have been taken by the administration to maintain normalcy in the running of the trains and prevent any untoward incident.
In another incident of alleged Maoist violence, two people including a woman were killed in a landmine explosion in Metagudem forests in Sukma district along Odisha-Chhattisgarh border, informed Sukma SP Abhishek Meena.
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Meena further stated the Maoists had planned the explosion targeting the police, adding that the combing operations have been intensified in the area.
Through these posters, the CPI (Maoists) have urged the locals to observe the ‘Pratibad Saptah’ (protest week) from January 25 to January 31.
In view of this, the Kandhamal district administration has suspended bus services to avoid any untoward incident. Reportedly, 13 buses plying in as many as 10 routes from Phulbani have been stopped.
A few posters were also recovered from Chandahandi ghat in Umerkote of Nabrangpur district. The ultras have blocked the Chandahandi-Jharigaon road by felling trees, as a mark of their protest.
In Bolangir, Maoist posters were found in Karlamal village under Khaprakhole block. The group has called for Bharat bandh protesting against the oppressive policies of the Centre and the Odisha government. The Bolangir-Bargarh-Mahasamund division of Maoists group reportedly pasted the posters announcing the bandh and has sought support from the people.
Similar posters seeking support for the nation-wide bandh were also found at Sarukabandh in Chitrakonda of Malkangiri district. The posters urged the people to observe the seven-day bandh from January 25 till January 31, sources said.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in the naxal-hit districts with heavy force deployment and intensive patrolling.
As a precautionary measure, government bus services were also stopped today in Malkangiri in view of the Martyrs’ Week (locally called as the Shahid Saptah).
"Security has been beefed up in the forest interiors of all Maoist-hit areas as they are observing martyrs' week from July 28 to August 3," said a police official.
"Combing operations have been intensified in the border areas, though security has always been maintained at top level in entire Malkangiri, which is considered as a stronghold of ultras," the official added.
According to police, cultural programmes, meetings and recruitment drives are undertaken by the Maoists during the week, meant to commemorate the cadres killed by the security forces.
So far, no untoward incident has been reported. However, the security forces intensified the combing operations after Naxal pamphlets and posters were found at some places in Muniguda area of Rayagada district.
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Urging youths to join the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), another Maoist poster surfaced along National Highway-59 near Midiapanga under Baliguda police limits of Kandhamal district.
Malkangiri SP, Jagmohan Meena said, “BSF camps and other police troops have been asked to stay alert. The police personnel have been issued advisory to check unnecessary movement. Operational teams like SOGs, DVFs and BSF have jointly intensified the combing operations in the interior areas.”
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Meanwhile in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Maoists today gunned down a man at Kumkumgudi village in Visakhapatnam district suspecting him to be police informer.
A red flag rally was organized on the eve of this public meeting. The much awaited Gurupriya Bridge recently inaugurated by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was cited as an obstacle, added sources.
In a related development, a hardcore Maoist couple identified as Mukesh and Ratna today surrendered before the Malkangiri Superintendent of Police (SP). The couple, allegedly involved in more than 40 cases, was active in the cut-off areas of Malkangiri. Both of them were reportedly carrying reward money of Rs. four lakhs and one lakh respectively, sources said.
The banners were reportedly put up by the CPI (M) at the bus stand in Kalimela last night despite tight police security and police patrolling.
In the banners, the ultras have mentioned that Modi will loot mineral resources from the State and give the same to outside companies on lease. His visit will not ensure any development of the common people in the State, it added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the silver city Cuttack to address a public meeting at Bali Jatra ground tomorrow on completion of four years of the NDA Government at Centre.
Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements have been made by the Commissionerate police for the PM’s visit to the State. A team of Special Protection Group (SPG) will also be deployed in the city.
The posters were released in the name of Malkangiri Koraput Vishakhapatnam Border (MKVB) committee of the CPI (Maoist).
In the posters, the Maoists have threatened contractors engaged in various construction works in the area to wind up their activities or else face death. The ultras have also threatened to kill residents of 10 villages in Koraput district, including Ankadeli, Badigad and Badadural.
Similar poster had been released by the MKVB in Dandabadi village under Baipariguda police station of Koraput district on April 21. The committee had alleged that the village is being subjected to destruction in the name of various development works carried out by government officials.
Bhubaneswar: Security forces on Friday intensified combing operations after suspected Maoists had put up posters at Tikarpara in the Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary in Angul district on late Wednesday night.
Through the posters, written both in Odia and Hindi, the rebels have opposed the atrocities against people in the name of wildlife and forest protection.
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The rebels have opposed bringing in more big cats to Satkosia Tiger Reserve (STR) and relocation of Raigoda villagers to Nuakheta which took place earlier this month.
"Maoists have put up posters at several places in the last two days out of frustration as local villagers are not co-operating with them. We have already intensified combing operation and at the same time community policing activities have also been taken up here," said Angul SP Brijesh Ray.
In another development, Maoists have also opposed the road construction work in Malkangiri district through a letter. The letter carries the signature of Odisha- Visakhapatnam border division and the ultras targeted the State government for not doing much for the development of education, health and housing for tribals in the region.
As per sources, days after the Maoists had put up posters and called for observance of the PLGA week, another set of posters signed by Koraput Yubak Jagaran Samiti have appeared in the Maoist belt of Sunki, Pottangi, Ampabali, Padwa and Lamataput areas of the district.
The posters alleged ultras as agents of anti-development and warned them against killing of innocent people.
Koraput SP Kanwar Vishal Singh said that the posters are a clear indication that people are fed up with anti-development activities of the Maoists.
"People have realized that the Maoists do no good to the society. They simply make false promises of development, extort money and kill innocent people," he said.
Meanwhile, an inquiry has been launched to ascertain the identity of the people behind anti-Maoist poster drive, informed Singh adding that they understand that Maoists have been trying to create an atmosphere of terror by unleashing violence and killing innocent locals.
"Already on the back foot amid dwindling tribal support base in the district, the Maoists may try to launch some offensive to terrorise people during the PLGA week. That is why security forces have been put on high alert. The Maoists will not be allowed to regroup in the district," Singh added.
The posters have been put up by Koraput-Srikakulam division of CPI (Maoist) at various places in Narayanpatna. They have called upon people to draw inspiration from Russia's Bolshevik Revolution dating back to 1917 and strive to achieve the New Democratic Revolution in India.
The rebel outfit has also asked all organised and unorganised labourers to launch a powerful agitation demanding eight hours work, minimum wages, social security and labour law.
Minority communities have been asked to come together and protest the green hunt operation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It has been alleged that the government is torturing 'innocent' tribals and daily labourers through operation green hunt with an intention to extract mineral resources from the State.
The posters also urged the people to protest the false arrests and encounters of people by police under the Naveen Patnaik government.
Similar posters were also found in Bandhugaon block of the district on November 3. The new posters in Narayanpatna are a proof that the rebels are active in the area.
The posters appeared just a stone's throw away from the BSF camp near Podapadar in the district.
Remembering the father of Naxalism, Comrade Charu Majumdar whose death anniversary is on July 28 and Comrade Kanhai Chaterjee, a founder member of Maoist organisation,the banner in the name of Koraput-Srikakulam division also asked tribals to pay homage to slain 31 cadres of the outlawed outfit in police encounter in Chhattisgarh in October. Notably, division secretary Daya and other top leaders heading Malkangiri and Narayanpatna areas were among the slain rebels.
They asked the tribals to take the revolution forward against the 'dictatorial government'.
A similar banner was found yesterday at Talagumandi village here with same appeal.
The Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division of the outlawed outfit had put posters on a tree in Kalahandi district two days ago urging people for a mass movement against police encounter at Bilabaru and Gumudumaha.
The posters in the name of Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division of CPI (Maoist) urged the people to come forward against police forces.
"Protest police action against innocent tribals and initiate a mass movement against the police encounter at Bilabaru and Gumudumaha," the posters read.
The rebels also asked the police to withdraw their forces and camp set up forcefully on the tribal land at Uraladhani in the district.
Two such hand written materials in the name of Odisha State Committee of CPI (Maoist) were found stuck on a tree at Sikarpai here in Rayagada district. One of the posters read "Oppose Modi's visit to Odisha on April 14,15 and his Land Acquisition Act". It also appealed to the people to oust Vedanta and save Niyamgiri hills.
Another poster threatened the security forces against combing operations in the Maoist infested forests. The ultras also alleged Rayagada SP lured the tribal youths with money to become police informers and asked him to refrain from such activities."Rayagada SP should stop instigating tribal youths to become police informers", the poster mentioned.
On March 31, suspected rebels had triggered a blast and ransacked Doikalu station. The posters they left behind besides protesting Modi's visit, had also criticised non-Odia officers being appointed to senior posts in the state police as well as administration.
Chief Secretary Aditya Padhi, Home department Secretary Asit Tripathy, Police DG KB Singh, IG Operations RP Koche, and Intelligence director Sunil Ray were present in the meeting which discussed anti-Maoist strategies.
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“The officials were ordered to nab the culprits behind the attack. There were no serious damage in the blast which was carried out to protest the deployment of Central and State forces and oppose the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to State,” said Padhi.
Around 15-20 Maoists stormed Doikalu railway station under Sambalpur Division and triggered an explosion on the station premises.
The posters and banners mentioning the names of CPI (M) secretaries Das Brahma and Umakanta Mishra were found at various places in the area.
With the panchayat polls scheduled to kick off from February 13, people in Kalyansighnpur area in the district are in a state of panic, reports said
Through the letter, the CPI (M) Malkangiri Divisional Committee has threatened the tribals not to apply for candidature and cast vote in the ensuing Panchayat polls. The body warned the tribals that if anybody contests for Sarpanch, Panchayat Samiti member, Ward member and Zilla Parishad member, they would be sentenced to death in People’s Court. Besides, people who would go to cast vote, their thumb would be cut off, the letter stated.
In the letter, the Maoist body also mentioned to stop all developmental works underway in blocks and Panchayats and warned contractors to do the same.
Names of Law minister Arun Sahoo, Housing and Urban Development minister Pushpendra Singhdeo and Food Supply and Consumer Welfare minister Sanjay Dasburma are mentioned in the poster, which was seen nailed to a tree trunk in Titlagah.
The Maoists have demanded suspension of these ministers within 10 days through this threatening poster addressed to CM Naveen Patnaik.
The warning posters have been found in Belgaon under Saintala police limits in Bolangir and also at the Veterinary centre at Manamunda in Boudh district.
While two posters have been found near the Panchayat office, two others were seen put up near the Anganwadi centre in Parasol.
Urging local intellectuals and nature lovers to join their protest to save Niyamgiri, the left wing extremist outfit have called upon the people not to get misguided by the false promises made by the government. In the posters the Maoists have compared Government's plan to hand over Niyamgiri to (Sterlite and OMC) company as sheer fascism.
Moreover, the posters have also raised the issue of setting up CRPF camp in Trilochanpur despite public protest.
The Maoists also opposed political leaders and threatened them of dire consequences, if any leader from any political party visits the region to seek votes.
Earlier on March 13, Maoist posters were also recovered from Parampanga village under Baliguda sub-division in the district in which the ultras had also urged people to boycott the upcoming general elections.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed in Maoists infested regions of the State while combing operations intensified to avoid any untoward situation.
According to reports, the Basadhara-Ghumusar divisional committee of the CPI (Maoists) have put up the posters in front of ‘Dangaria Kandha Unnayana’ office at Parasali panchayat under Kalyansinghpur block of the district.
Besides, the red rebels have also threatened to declare bandh at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district and Kalyansinghpur, Muniguda, Bissamcuttack in Rayagada district during the first phase polls.
No comments could be obtained from the Police.
The two Maoists were identified as Golluri Birusu (24) alias Mahesh of Kotipalli village in Malkangiri district,Odisha, and Golluri Ramayya (25) alias Rahul of Nanubaru village in Pedabayalu mandal of Visakhapatnam district, police said.
Mahesh was wanted for killing and was involved in three incidents of exchange of fire at Munchingput,Chitrakonda and GV Veedhi, the police said.
He was also involved in arson and holding kangaroo courts, they said.
According to the police official, Rahul too was involved in murder cases in 2015-2017.
The armed militia members who surrendered include Korra Sathibabu (37), Golluri Satyanarayana (19), KorraGanapathi (40) and Korra Pethro (19).
The militia members were basically engaged to provide food to the Maoists, attending and mobilising people for Maoist meetings, performing sentry duties, assisting the Maoist cadre in planting landmines and pasting of Maoist posters.
The posters were recovered on the 5th day of the ongoing PLGA week of the Maoists in the region.
In the posters, the rebels have threatened people to punish them if they pass on any information or act as police informers by organising praja courts (Kangaroo court).
The Left Wing Extremists (LWEs) observe PLGA week every year to commemorate their comrades killed in several police encounters over the years. Usually, they take out rallies and address public gatherings during the week-long celebrations to pay tributes to their martyr cadres.
As a precautionary measure, the operation of government bus services in the LWE infested districts like Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada and Kandhamal have been suspended in view of the PLGA week.
While one body was lying in a pool of blood near Bhandarangi panchayat office, the body of other person was recovered from near Guchaguda village, sources said.
The red rebels have hacked these two men to death by branding them as police informers when five members of the CPI-Maoists were gunned down by security forces in September last year. After the incident, the ultras belonging to the Bansadhara-Ghumsar-Nagabali division of the banned CPI(Maoist) also put up posters claiming responsibility for the killings.
The posters found, mentioned that these two men had given inputs to police about the Maoist hideout which led to the death of five members of the division that included four women.
They have now warned other police informers to surrender in 15 days, failing which the village will see a bloodbath.
"We have complete knowledge of all those are providing inputs to police. All informers should surrender before the Jan Adalat in 15 days, or else they too will suffer the same fate. Those who choose not to surrender will be awarded death penalty," stated the poster, adding that Naveen Patnaik government, Odisha Police DG Abhay and IG (Intelligence) RK Sharma will be held responsible for the loss of lives.
In another poster, the Maoist leader has requested the people of the Gond tribe to 'bring their children to the right path'. "The youths are being brainwashed and subsequently they are becoming informers. They should mend their ways instead of launching a revolt against us," the poster stated.
On September 9, the SOG along with the Kalahandi DVF launched a combing operation based on intelligence inputs regarding presence of ultras in the Bhandarangi Sirki forest area on the Kalahandi-Kandhamal border. In the gunfight, five Maoists were killed, and two personnel of Odisha Police's Special Operation Group (SOG) - Sudhir Kumar Tudu (28) of Mayurbhanj district and Debasis Sethi (27) of Angul - also lost their lives.