Bhawanipatna, March 13: With Left-wing extremists (LWEs) extending their activities in the tribal dominated Kalahandi district, Odisha Police Saturday said it would intensify combing operation and also ensure development of certain areas.
Director General of Police (DGP) K B Singh after reviewing the maoist situation with Superintendents Police of Kalahandi, Nuapada, Bolangir and Nawarangpur districts here said that LWE activities have increased in Kalahandi and Nuapada region.
Among senior police officials Additional DG Arun Sarangi, Sunil Ray, Santosh Kumar Upadhaya, IG intelligence D S Kute and DIG S Saine also attended the review meeting.
The DGP said steps are being taken to intensify combing operation and welfare activities as well in the Maoist infested areas.
Out of 13 blocks of Kalahandi, movement of Maoist cadres were witnessed in 10 blocks. However, the situation is acute in tribal pockets in Thuamul Rampur and Lanjigarh blocks, the DGP said claiming that the red radicals are gradually losing their hold over the areas due to intensified combing operation by CRP and SOG. “Maoist cadres are now defensive and desperate,” the DGP said.
The DGP said some cadres of the CPI(Maoist) operating in the region have already surrendered before police.
Meanwhile, 19 supporters of Maoists surrendered before the police in Malkangiri, official reports here said.
With this nearly 2000 Maoists’ sympathizers have surrendered in the past three months disillusioned with the reckless killings indulged into by the ultras or their lavish lifystyles, police sources said.
