BALANGIR: With security forces stepping up combing operation in Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary after exchange of fire between the Maoists and the security forces near Jamgaon village in the wee hours of Wednesday, top brass of the State Police reviewed the law and order situation here on Thursday. The review holds significance with reports of infiltration by Maoists into Khaprakhol block under Patnagarh sub- division of the district from Nuapada and Bargarh districts, pouring in.Reports said IG (Operation) Y B Khurania, IG (Northern Range) R P Koche, the CRPF Commandant and the Bargarh SP flew down to Balangir and held closed door meetings with Balangir SP Awinish Kumar. Later, they toured Maoist-infested pockets in Khaprakhol block.Though it is being termed as a routine exercise, reports of a major offensive against the Maoists in Khaprakhol are already doing rounds. With Nuapada and Bargarh districts sharing borders with Chhattisgarh besides Balangir district, the Maoists often cross borders to evade the security forces during a combing operation.The Maoists, who earlier had a free run in areas under Khaprakhol and Lathore police limits, suffered a setback when security forces gunned down a female cadre in Sanbanjipali forest in Khaprakhol block of the district on June 21 this year. With the areas on either side of the Gandhamardan Hills which separates Bargarh and Balangir besides Nuapada bereft of development, the Maoists have spread their tentacles here by forming a separate Mahasamund-Bargarh Division.
Comments
0 comment