Post News Network
Baripada, Dec 2: Even as the Maoists have started observing the People’s Liberation Guerilla Army (PLGA) Week in various parts of the state Wednesday, it is alleged the ultras have become active in Mayurbhanj reportedly after a company of CRPF jawans deployed on the fringe areas of the district was removed in November 14. Now, only District Voluntary Force jawans have been deployed in Suliapada area, according to source.
However, ASP Dinajan Nayak claimed that Operation Green Hunt is still being carried out in the district.
Keeping low profile for quite some time due to the anti-insurgency operation, Maoists made their presence felt in remote areas of Bangiriposi and Jharpokharia police limits November 29. Several Maoist posters written in Hindi were found pasted on walls of an Anganwadi centre, panchayat office, Jogeswar High School, Pakatia rest house and several other places.
Besides, a large number of Maoist leaflets of PLGA of CPI (Maoist) were found scattered on the ground.
Since then, people residing in the areas abutting borders of Jharkhand and West Bengal have been spending sleepless nights, reports said.
In the posters, the ultras have urged youths, poor and famers to join ‘armed struggle’ to scuttle Operation Green Hunt in the area. The Red rebels have urged people to observe PLGA week from December 2 to 8.
The ultras also wanted people to form Krantikari Jana Committees and public relation camps in villages.
Locals said some strangers had visited Bajargoda area under Jharpokaria police limits on bikes a few days ago. They were spotted moving near Jamgadia along with big bags.
Sources said the rebels have set their sight on gemstone mines at Pakapaka and Shankhabhanga in Sarasakana area, which lies on the borders of Jharkhand.
Some unknown people have reportedly been excavating the area for the last few days, but neither the police nor the district administration is aware of it, the sources added.
It is learnt that the pockets have remained backward for lack of development and local tribals have lost faith in the administration. Taking advantage of the situation, Maoists are reportedly trying to regroup themselves and win the confidence of the people before expanding their activities.
The Maoists had set up a camp to recruit youths in the area in 2008 to train them in guerilla warfare. In 2009, Maoists had tried to attack then MP Sudam Marndi at Bandab while assistant sub-inspector Narayan Pradhan, havildar Rajani Mohant and constable Ganha Hembram were killed in the attack.
March 28, 2009, the ultras had tried to kill an elephant named Mahendra in Similipal sanctuary. After that incident, the Similipal authorities had closed the sanctuary to tourist for two years.
August 14, 2015, the Maoists had also pasted their posters in the area, the reports said. PNN
