Bargarh/Ambabhona: A week after Maoists visited four villages under Ambabhona police limits in this district, the cops seized an intimidating banner from a tree in the Barapahad jungle near the Unani village of Karla panchayat of the block Thursday.
The red banner carrying threatening messages against a contractor by the Chhattisgarh Maoist Division was found pinned to a tree.
Locals said that it must have been placed by Maoists, but the police said the involvement of the ultras can be confirmed only by a probe.
Ultras had come to Mundabahal, Debrigarh, Jhagadabehera and Alekhpur villages October 24, and distributed some leaflets. The ultras had visited Mundabahal village October 21 too.
The Maoists travelled by the Singhada Ghat in Chhattisgarh via Jhael and then through Sihinigarh jungle in Ambabhona to reach the village. They visited some shops and purchased rice and other things before leaving.
Intense Maoist activities here have become a cause of worry for the police and the public.
The ultras have asserted their presence in Sambardhara, Khola, Kurumkel, Debrigarh, Behera villages of Ambabhona block and Khajuria and other villages of Bhatli block.
Earlier, the ultras announced their presence by torching the camp office of a contractor in the Lakhanpur village of Ambabhona block and by murdering a forest guard.
After a brief lull, the ultras have become active again in the area giving jitters to the police and residents.
PNN