Malkangiri: Notwithstanding the beefed up security in view of the ‘Shahid Saptah’ (Martyrs’ Week), the outlawed Red rebels were successful in organising a camp here on the Odisha-Andhra border Saturday.
According to reports, as many as 600 Maoist leaders and sympathisers attended the camp held at the border of Ralegada panchayat. The camp, organized by the Maoists’ Odisha-Andhra Border Zonal Committee, criticized the BJD government in the state for opening the Gurupriya Bridge, which was recently inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Apparently, the Red rebels are opposing the Gurupriya Bridge alleging that it will act against the interests of the tribals in the cut-off region in Malkangiri. In fact, they seem to be having a hard time with the opening of the bridge across River Janbai and, hence, they made last ditch efforts to instigate the tribals against the bridge as well as the ruling dispensation.
Sources said, Maoist leader Rabana led the gathering and, in his speech, condemned police encounters killing their cadres. He, therefore, urged the tribals to support them.
It may be noted here that as many as 30 Maoists were killed in police encounter in Ramaguda forest of Malkangiri district October 24, 2016. Later, the attendees went round the martyrs’ pillar holding posters and banners to mark the Martyrs’ Week and remembered their lost comrades.
Meanwhile, the government bus services to Malkangiri and Rayagada districts have remained suspended as a precautionary measure on the second day of the Maoists Martyrs’ week, Sunday.
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