Post News Network
Nuapada, Jan 3: After a few months of lull, Maoists have again asserted themselves in the district. In keeping with their anti-development move, the ultras torched several vehicles and associated equipment of a construction firm engaged in laying a road at Sirigada village, 20 kms from the district headquarters town near here Sunday.
Nuapada superintendent of police directed a team of cops to visit the temporary camp of the construction firm and seized two banners mentioning Maoists’ Orissa State Committee.
In the banners, the ultras opposed the government sponsored ‘Operation Green Hunt’ that aimed at flushing out ultras from the region. The extremists also called upon residents to support the bandh called by the outfit in Orissa and Chhattisgarh January 8.
According to eyewitnesses, around 20 armed Maoists including five women ambushed the temporary camp at 10 pm Saturday night. The ultras called five employees of the company who were at the camp at that time. They snatched their mobile phones and asked them to hand over all the fuel stored in the camp. After the employees acted accordingly, the Maoists torched the vehicles including a roller, two water tankers, three mixture machines, two tractors and a trolley. The process continued till 2 am Sunday.
The ultras then asked the staff to leave the place before fleeing into the jungle.
Security forces led by Dharambandha police station officer-in-charge Bibekananda Mahanta reached the place Sunday morning. A team of police from Chhattisgarh led by deputy superintendent of police Anil Kumar Sony also visited the place and took stock of the situation. Investigations are on.
Residents demanded that more police camps be set up in the area to check the increasing offences by Maoists.
Superintendent of police Pinak Mishra said it is another attempt by the left wing extremists to obstruct development. Measures are being taken to combat the ultras, he added.
Construction of a stretch of road between Kendubahar and Sirigad under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana is going on for last three months. Construction company, NBCC, has been undertaking the Rs 3.49 crore project under the supervision of the rural development department.
