Sharmili Mallick

Kandhamal: Protesting Centre’s anti-Left Wing Extremism (LWE) operation strategy ‘Operation Samadhan’, Maoists today observed ‘Bharat Bandh’ crippling normal life across several districts of Odisha.

The Maoists blocked road by felling trees on NH 59 near Pakaladami ghati disrupting vehicular traffic between Baliguda-Daringbadi of Kandhamal district.

The red rebels also put up posters and banners on the spot with an aim to trigger panic among the locals. The Maoists also felled trees near Satanalia on Kothaguda-Muniguda road in the district.

The ultras also blocked road by felling trees on Fikarkupa-Dhepaguda road in Kalahandi district and torched a JCB engaged in road construction work near Kendu ghati area in the district. Posters opposing the road construction was also recovered from the spot.

In Malkangiri, government buses stayed off road giving a tough time to commuters. Vehicular movement in and around several Maoist-dominated areas including Moupadar and Bejenguda in the district was severely affected due to the bandh.

Meanwhile, adequate security forces have been deployed in the district intensifying combing operation to avoid any untoward situation.

“The District Voluntary Force (DVF), Border Security Force (BSF) and Special Operations Group (SOG) jawans have beefed up combing operations in the Maoist dominated areas and interior parts of Malkangiri district. Joint operations are also being carried out with Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh police. The intelligence networks have also been kept on high alert,” informed Malkangiri Superintendent of Police, Jagmohan Meena.

On the other hand, the Maoists blew up an Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) at Chatikona in Rayagada district today morning. However, no one was reportedly hurt in the explosion. Police and scientific team rushed to the spot after getting information and recovered another IED.

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