Tiranga flies high in Maoist bastion in Odisha's Malkangiri

The residents of Swabhiman Anchal in Odisha's Malkangiri district celebrated ‘Azadi ka amrit Mahotsav’ as part of the completion of 75 years of Independence.

Earlier in the past, black flags were hoisted by Maoists in the area as security personnel could not venture into the region, a Maoist stronghold. The banned outfit had prohibited the hoisting of national flags even at the government premises during the Independence day and Republic Day celebrations.

However, the locals this year hoisted Tiranga at the memorials of Maoist leaders in Jantri, Gorasetu, Ghanabeda and Orapadar in the district.

“Residents of Malkangiri have the zeal to celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. We are confident that there is no support for Maoists here and it is the true independence for the Swabhiman Anchal,” Nitesh Wadhwani, Superintendent of Police (SP), Malkangiri said.

On the occasion of 76th Independence day, security beefed up in Koraput. All the entry and exit points of the district have been sealed and police patrolling also intensified in the Andhra bordering district.

All the police stations have been put under high alert. To manage the security arrangements an Additional Superintendent of Police (Addl. SP), seven Deputy Superintendent of Police(DSP), seven Inspectors, 25 officers and three platoon force have been deployed.

“Security has been tightened in view of the celebration of Independence day in the district. The roads joining Jeypore, Rayagada and Sunabeda have been sealed for security purposes,” Additional SP, Koraput, Utkal Keshari Das said.

He added, “As Koraput is a Maoist prone region, Special Operation Group (SOG) have been deployed.”

Similarly, in Kandhamal district security has been tightened. Vinit Agrawal, Kandhamal SP reviewed the security arrangements.