DGP’s ground survey at Malkangiri may ring in more operations

BHUBANESWAR/MALKANGIRI : With Malkangiri flagging fresh problems of Maoist violence, Director General of Police Dr RP Sharma flew down to the southern most district on Thursday to take stock of the situation on the ground.After touching down at Badapada village in the cut-off areas, Dr Sharma took a bike ride to Janbai where the Border Security Force (BSF) has a camp.He also reviewed the progress of Gurupriya Setu which is dubbed as critical to progress of the region by bringing connectivity which the region so lacks. Stuck for several years, the bridge has BSF camps at both ends at present.

With security forces going after Red rebels, Malkangiri has seen a spurt in violence in recent times. The DGP who discussed operational coordination with BSF is believed to have advised a scale up in joint exercise by the Central and State agencies.The cut-off region of Chitrakonda reservoir also happens to be stronghold of Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee of CPI (Maoist). There is continuous movement of the Naxals in the area who are now trying to up the ante.

The district currently has presence of BSF and a CoBRA unit of CRPF among the Central para military forces. The DGP who reviewed the operational plans is believed to have agreed for mobilisation of more forces.Later, the DGP headed to Malkangiri town where he held a closed door meeting at the District Police Office. Malkangiri SP Jagmohan Meena and other BSF officials briefed him about the details.
Speaking to mediapersons, Dr Sharma said necessary changes in operational strategy will be carried out soon to curb Maoist menace across the district. The fight against rebels is a dynamic process and the need is to bring changes in the strategy to take on the Maoists, he added. 

“We resolved for better coordination and cooperation among all the forces engaged in anti-Maoist operation like Special Operation Group, District Voluntary Forces, Border Security Force and joint operation by them to take on the rebels,” the DGP said.He was accompanied by Director (Intelligence) Sunil Roy, IG (Operation) RP Koche, IG (Crime Branch) Asit Kumar Panigrahi, South-Westren Range DIG S Shyni.Administrative challenges faced by the paramilitary forces were also discussed in the meetings.