Koraput: Police in Malkangiri intensified counter-insurgency operations along its borders with Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh to thwart potential Maoist infiltration ahead of Republic Day celebrations. The Maoists, who observe Republic Day as a ‘Black Day’, are suspected to be planning disruptions in the district on that day.
The heightened security measures follow the recent killing of at least 14 Maoists in a joint operation involving Odisha’s special operation group (SOG), Chhattisgarh’s District Reserve Guards, CRPF and CoBRA forces. The operation, conducted on Tuesday in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district, led to the death of senior Maoist leader Chalapathi, a central committee member with a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head. Authorities fear retaliatory actions from the Maoists in response to the encounter.
“Although security personnel are always vigilant due to Malkangiri’s strategic location at the tri-junction of Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, we cannot afford to be complacent. Additional steps have been taken to prevent any possible influx of Maoists into the district,” Malkangiri SP Vinod Patil said.
Patil added that the intelligence network across the district is fully activated and additional forces have been deployed in border areas and other vulnerable zones. “We are also closely monitoring waterways that could serve as potential entry routes for Maoists, given their possible intent to disrupt the Republic Day celebrations,” he said.
Police sources revealed that while Maoist activity in Malkangiri has declined in recent years due to extensive anti-Naxal operations and the surrender of several rebels and their sympathisers, the threat remains, and the situation could escalate if high-ranking Maoist leaders from neighbouring states manage to infiltrate the district.
“A red alert has been sounded in all police stations and officers have been kept on high alert to avert any untoward incident. Police remain vigilant and committed to countering any threat posed by the Maoist insurgency,” ASP (Malkangiri) Tapan Rath said.