‘Sanctuaries in 2 Odisha districts turn Maoist dens’

BHUBANESWAR: With Maoist activities again rearing its head in two neighbouring western Odisha districts of Kalahandi and Nuapada, their wildlife sanctuaries — Karlapat and Sunabeda — respectively have again turned into the preferred hideouts of the Naxals, police said.
While Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary helps them shuttle between Chhattisgarh and Nuapada, Karlapat serves as their passage between Kalahandi and Kandhamal because of the contiguity of forests. “Karlapat links with the forests of Kandhamal. Maoists operating in Kandhamal use Karlapat as their shelter as they put up camps in the forest,” said additional director general of police (operations) Amitav Thakur.
Police officers said in Nuapada, the Maoists mostly hide in a forest close to Sikaser dam in Gariabandh district of Chhattisgarh. This area is close to Sunabeda sanctuary. Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary is also located in Gariabandh district. “Both Sunabeda and Udanti landscapes have continuity of forests that help Maoists get shelter. For a long time, Maoists have been staying near Sikaser while Sunabeda provides them a safe hideout,” said Rajesh Pandit, deputy inspector general, south-western range.
In June last year, Maoists had killed three CRPF commandos in the Patdhara forests of Nuapada district. The three security personnel had come under Maoist fire at a location in the forest between two CRPF camps at Bhainsadani and Patdhara. The ambush of CRPF commandos was the first incident of Maoist violence in more than three years. In August last year, Maoists killed a man claiming he was a police informer at Dhekunpani village within Sunabeda sanctuary.
When a leopard was on the prowl in areas adjoining Sunabeda killing cattle, forest officials feared to put up camps and monitor the big cat. A handful of forest personnel on duty were all in plainclothes and did not wear uniform as Maoists target forest officials, sources said.
During a flushout operation in July last year, a Maoist group led by Murli alias Sangram Reddy, fled through Sunabeda to Chhattisgarh.
Forests officials said the fear of Maoists at times forces them to shun night duty in Karlapat.