Bhubaneswar: The influx of dreaded Maoists into operational zones of Odisha State Committee (OSC) of CPI (Maoist) has become a cause of concern for the security forces.
According to officials engaged in anti-Naxal operations in the State, with both Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh intensifying the drive against the reds, the Left Wing Extremists are sneaking into Odisha, which is a safer destination for them.
The Central government has deployed more Central Paramilitary Forces in neighbouring Chhattisgarh due to which Odisha is facing the heat, admit top officials. The Naxals are allegedly planning to spread terror among civilian population in Odisha.
Records suggest that this year at least 14 civilians have been killed in the hands of ultras, where as violent incidents are reported to be 48.
What is worrying is that Maoists have adopted a change in their strategy and are attacking civilians with absolute impunity. They are avoiding attacks on police and Central Paramilitary Forces in an attempt to save their senior leaders from coming under attack by security personnel, said experts.
The police have been active in Malkangiri and has arrested at least 26 Maoist cadres. Besides, recovery of arms and ammunition from the Ultras by the district police has also improved a lot. However, the civilians are paying the price as the ultras are targeting them with alarming regularity.
This has baffled security experts who wonder why the Naxals are killing ‘police informers’ and not ‘police personnel’ as was the case earlier.
Officials said, the situation is in fact challenging as the cadres of Andhra Odisha Border State Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) have increased their activities in Malkangiri.
With the construction of the major bridge over river Gurupriya in full swing, situation will improve as connectivity will erode the influence of the Maoists in these areas, feel top police officers. As the construction work of the bridge is going smoothly under the vigil of BSF and District Police Force, the State government is mulling to take up the construction work of a major bridge at Motu in Malkangiri as the Andhra Pradesh government has not evinced interest in taking up the work, informed sources.
