Post News Network
Bhawanipatna, Jan 23: In view of the recent rise in incidents of violence orchestrated by Maoists in Kalahandi district, government-sponsored developmental projects have suffered a huge setback, with officials associated with the task of executing the projects refusing to take any risk to their lives.
With the Maoists setting on fire a vehicle engaged in supplying mid-day meals (MDM) to various schools in Lanjigarh block Wednesday, panicked government officials fear to go to their offices, sources said. Sources said Maoists have made their presence felt in at least six panchayats of M Rampur, seven in Lanjigarh, three each in Bhawanipatna and Golamunda and 11 in T Rampur blocks. Besides, the left wing extremists are also active in some areas of Koksara and Kalampur blocks. Sources added that 13 Maoists have set up a camp in Chitra forest near Barbandha gram panchayat in M Rampur block, while 30 ultras have been holed up in a forest near Manikera and Mohangiri forest.
The Maoists are also luring village youths by conducting gram sabhas and other cultural programmes to join their organisation. As a result, developmental activities in these areas have suffered significantly, the sources added. Schools in six panchayats under M Rampur block have remained closed with teachers not reporting for duty for the past few days, the sources said. Moreover, healthcare services in these areas have gone haywire with the absence of medical professionals due to fear of possible Maoist offensive. Healthcare facilities especially in Urladani, Barabandha and Mohangiri panchayats are in a deplorable condition. Under such circumstances, people of these areas have to walk over 10 km to check their health conditions at a primary health centre (PHC). The mobile healthcare facilities of the government have also been hit due to the presence of left-wing extremists, the sources said.
When contacted, Kalahandi superintendent of police (SP) Brijesh Kumar Ray said combing operation has been stepped up in the forest areas.