Security forces on high alert; Govt buses off roads

With the Maoists Martyrs’ Week beginning from Saturday, security was beefed up in the extremists-infested Malkangiri and adjoining districts to avoid any untoward incident. Due to security reasons, Government buses were off the roads in Malkangiri. A few private buses which plied were overcrowded. The commuters had to wait for hours to reach their destinations.

“Security has been heightened in the forest regions of all Maoist-hit areas as the rebels are observing Martyrs’ Week from July 28 to August 3,” said a police official.

“Combing operations have been intensified in the border areas, though security forces are on a high alert in the entire Malkangiri district, which is a bastion of the Red rebels,” the official added.

Police said cultural programmes, meetings and recruitment drives are undertaken by the Maoists during the week, meant to commemorate the cadres killed in encounters with the security forces.

So far, no untoward incident was reported. However, the security forces intensified the combing operations after Maoist pamphlets and posters were found at some places in Muniguda of Rayagada district.

Urging youths to join the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) in huge numbers, another Maoist poster surfaced along NH-59 near Midiapanga under the Baliguda police station of Kandhamal district.

Malkangiri SP Jagmohan Meena said, “BSF camps and police troops have been asked to stay alert. Police personnel have been issued advisory to check unnecessary movement. Operational teams like SOGs, DVFs and BSF have jointly intensified combing operations in the interior areas.”