Maoists-security forces gunbattle underway in Gandhamardhan hills

Bolangir:  A day before Independence Day, the Maoists today unleashed terror by exchanging fire with security forces at Gandhamardhan hills near Khaprakhol in the district today.

Till reports last came in, exchange of fire was in progress and no casualty was reported so far.

"The CRPF and SOG jawans launched combing operations last night in Gandhamardhan hills. Today the naxals opened fire at security personnel and our jawans retaliated. The exchange of fire is still going on," SP K.Siva Subramani told OTV over phone.

Meanwhile, the extremists once again urged people through posters to boycott Independence Day.

Such posters were found at a ghat in Chandahandi near Umerkote in Nabarangpur district today. They appealed to the people to observe August 15 as a black day.

A day before, Bolangir-Bargarh-Mahasamund division of CPI (Maoist) released an audio tape with same appeal.

Through the audio, Maoist spokesperson Budhuram Paharia urged people to hoist black flags instead of the Tricolour on August 15 alleging rise of unlawful activities and torture on tribal people in State.

“Independence Day is being celebrated only for namesake,” the Maoist leader said in the audio.