Jeypore: The undivided Koraput district – Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Rayagada – administration was on high alert in the wake of the Maoists’ threat to observe the Republic Day as Black Day.
Two days back, Koraput-Srikakulum division of the CPI (Maoists) put up many posters regarding observance of Black Day while an audio tape was released Wednesday to observe bandh Thursday and Friday over Kunduli suicide case.
Last year, the ultras observed the Republic Day as Black Day in inaccessible regions of undivided Koraput by hoisting black flags and putting up anti-government posters.
They made their presence felt in several pockets of Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon. This apart, the rebels also prevented Republic Day celebration in hundreds of schools in Koraput. Teachers and students in many schools didn’t turn up fearing backlash by the ultras.
Meanwhile, students in several schools of Sunki, Machhkund, Lamtaput, Pottangi, Nandapur, Kundura, Ramgiri, Boiparatidua, Lamtaput, Laxmipur, Bandhugaon and Narayanpatna were in a dilemma over whether the Republic Day would be observed in their institute since these areas are considered the strongholds of Maoists. The teachers were also scared to observe the day fearing attacks by the rebels.
The reluctance of police officials to visit the Maoist-hit regions has encouraged the ultras to go ahead with their plan to observe the Black Day.
On the other hand, police have sealed the entry points in market areas and district headquarters and checked the vehicles on R-Day eve. Security arrangements have also been intensified at the police stations, outposts and BSF camps which were earlier targeted by the ultras.
Based on the intelligence inputs, the administration has sounded high alert in the district and asked the security personnel to remain careful during patrolling.
Combing operations have been intensified in the wake of observation of the Republic Day, ASP VR Rao said.
BYJD leader in Maoists’ crosshair
Jeypur: Ultras Thursday threatened to punish Ishwar Panigrahi, the state general secretary of Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD), for his alleged exploitation of tribals in his farm house. In a letter issued by Ajay of Koraput-Srikakulam division, the Maoists said the BJD leader has grabbed 70 acres of government land in Kumbhariput village and set up a farm house on it. He employed some outsiders as supervisors and made locals work at a wage of `100 a day. The supervisors also tortured workers mentally, the letter said. The ultras asked the poor and tribals to join their hands against Panigrahi. They put up a banner in Panigrahi’s farm house December 8 in this regard. The ultras alleged that the police have misled tribals by staging ‘fake surrender’ dramas. But in reality poor tribal farmers are being tortured by police, they mentioned in the letter.
PNN