Maoist cadres on run after Gurupriya bridge comes up
Satyanarayan Pattnaik | TNN | Updated: Feb 26, 2019, 11:22 IST
Gurupriya bridge connecting 151 villages with the mainland in Malkangiri districtKORAPUT: The construction of the Gurupriya bridge that has connected 151 villages on one side of the Balimela reservoir in Odisha’s Malkangiri district with rest of the state has affected Maoist movement in the region.
The region was popular as cut-off area as it was separated from the mainland by the 184.5 sq km Balimela reservoir. After inauguration of the 910-metre Gurupriya bridge in July 2018, chief minister Naveen Patnaik re-named it as ‘Swabhiman’ area, as it was no more cut-off . He also announced a Rs 100-crore development package for the area that borders Andhra Pradesh.
The bridge has facilitated the movement of security personnel forcing Maoists to surrender. A divisional committee member, Dhananjaye Gope alias Sudheer, laid down arms in the presence of DIG (south-western range) Himansu Lal on Sunday. “After the bridge was built, security personnel intensified counter-insurgency operations and the administration increased development activities in the villages,” said the 27-year-old Maoist leader, who joined the rebel organisation 10 years ago.
Sudheer was allegedly involved in 27 Maoist offensives, including 15 murders, and was carrying an award of Rs 5 lakh on his head. He said the fear of being shot dead by security personnel and the wish to rebuild his life with the help of government made him surrender. “Combing operations have been intensified after establishment of a permanent security camp at Jantapai inside the Swabhiman area and Maoists are always on the run. Life had become miserable for us as there was the fear of being targeted by security personnel,” he said.
Sudheer’s is not an isolated case. Since the inauguration of the bridge constructed at a cost of Rs 172.85 crore, six Maoist leaders operating in the Swabhiman area have surrendered. “The hilly terrains of the area, earlier isolated from the mainland is no longer a safe haven for the Red rebels. Since the establishment of the camp, security personnel are operating frequently in the area,” said SP (Malkangiri) Jagmohan Meena.
According to intelligence sources, currently around 70 to 80 armed Maoists divided into four groups are operating in the Swabhiman area with a majority of the cadres being from Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The percentage of Odia cadres has dipped to a single digit, said a senior police official of Malkangiri. Police are hopeful that more surrenders will take place in the days to come. “We appeal to the Maoists to join the mainstream and avail the benefits of the state government’s surrender policy,” the DIG said.
He said the Maoists have realised that they are not going to achieve anything by wielding the gun. “It is expected that more Maoists will surrender. But we cannot be complacent. Their activities are being closely monitored,” Lal said.
The region was popular as cut-off area as it was separated from the mainland by the 184.5 sq km Balimela reservoir. After inauguration of the 910-metre Gurupriya bridge in July 2018, chief minister Naveen Patnaik re-named it as ‘Swabhiman’ area, as it was no more cut-off . He also announced a Rs 100-crore development package for the area that borders Andhra Pradesh.
The bridge has facilitated the movement of security personnel forcing Maoists to surrender. A divisional committee member, Dhananjaye Gope alias Sudheer, laid down arms in the presence of DIG (south-western range) Himansu Lal on Sunday. “After the bridge was built, security personnel intensified counter-insurgency operations and the administration increased development activities in the villages,” said the 27-year-old Maoist leader, who joined the rebel organisation 10 years ago.
Sudheer was allegedly involved in 27 Maoist offensives, including 15 murders, and was carrying an award of Rs 5 lakh on his head. He said the fear of being shot dead by security personnel and the wish to rebuild his life with the help of government made him surrender. “Combing operations have been intensified after establishment of a permanent security camp at Jantapai inside the Swabhiman area and Maoists are always on the run. Life had become miserable for us as there was the fear of being targeted by security personnel,” he said.
Sudheer’s is not an isolated case. Since the inauguration of the bridge constructed at a cost of Rs 172.85 crore, six Maoist leaders operating in the Swabhiman area have surrendered. “The hilly terrains of the area, earlier isolated from the mainland is no longer a safe haven for the Red rebels. Since the establishment of the camp, security personnel are operating frequently in the area,” said SP (Malkangiri) Jagmohan Meena.
According to intelligence sources, currently around 70 to 80 armed Maoists divided into four groups are operating in the Swabhiman area with a majority of the cadres being from Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The percentage of Odia cadres has dipped to a single digit, said a senior police official of Malkangiri. Police are hopeful that more surrenders will take place in the days to come. “We appeal to the Maoists to join the mainstream and avail the benefits of the state government’s surrender policy,” the DIG said.
He said the Maoists have realised that they are not going to achieve anything by wielding the gun. “It is expected that more Maoists will surrender. But we cannot be complacent. Their activities are being closely monitored,” Lal said.
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