Maoists damage Essar pipeline in Chitrakonda

Malkangiri: Maoists allegedly damaged an iron ore pipeline of Essar Steel near Dighajanabai village under Ralegada panchayat in Chitrakonda area of the district late on Saturday night.

As per reports, the red rebels have cut the pipeline laid from Chhattisgarh to Andhra Pradesh disrupting company's operations.

Though no banner or poster of any Maoist group was found, it is being suspected that the damage was done by the Odisha-Andhra Border division committee which is active in the region.

After receiving information, police reached the spot and launched an investigation. This apart, combing and anti-insurgency operations have been intensified in the district and the bordering areas of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to avoid any untoward incident, added sources.

Sources said that the Maoists snapped the pipeline as they were outraged over the setting up of a police camp near the bordering areas and wanted to make their presence felt in the region.