Chhendipada: Security forces Saturday intensified combing after intelligence inputs warned of Maoists’ presence in areas under Jarapada police limits under this block in Angul district.
Reports reaching here said the ultras from Handapa areas sneaked into Durgapur, Katada, Bakala, Pitachari, Badamula, Naupada, Chulia hill, Sankheshwar hill, Nuaghai, Basindiri, Panduakata, Putagadia reserve forest and the adjoining hilly regions in Jarapada police limits and started making efforts to strengthen their base. The arrival of the ultras has triggered panic among locals.
Eyewitnesses claimed the ultras after their arrival started establishing contacts with locals and enquired from them about the topography of the region.
On a tip-off, a team of Special Operation Group (SOG) jawans rushed to the area and launched a search operation in Durgapur, Mathamundia hill, Durgapur ghat, Basindiri hill, Surasahi hill and Bakal hill areas to flush out the militants.
Another report said, about 70 armed ultras made their way from Durgapur and reached the farmhouse of a person under the foothill of Pitachari and inquired from security guards about the biggest village in the region and its forest cover as well as about the road network.
Later, they moved to Badamula forest. They were conversing in Hindi while 15-20 of them were women, the security guards said.
Locals claimed the ultras made their way from Katada Hanuman temple square via Katada forest and later came from Bakala to Bipasari forest region.
Jarapada police IIC Satyabrata Rout admitted to the Maoist presence in the regions. The ultras have not committed any offensive but police have launched a combing operation to nab them, he added. PNN
