Construction Of Gurupriya Bridge Only To Exploit The Tribals, Says Maoist Letter

Malkangiri: Vehemently opposing the newly-built Gurupriya Bridge over the Janbai river in the cut-off areas of Chitrakonda block in Odisha’s Malkangiri district, the Maoists alleged that it had been constructed only to exploit the tribals.

In a letter to the media, the Malkangiri Koraput Vishakha Border Division (MKVBD) of the outlawed CPI-Maoist outfit alleged that the Gurupriya bridge was constructed to loot the forest and mineral resources which the tribals had the exclusive right over.

The Maoists also alleged that the state government, after the construction of the Gurupriya bridge, made no effort to provide proper education, health care and electricity to the remote panchayats. Rather, it deployed about 1500-2000 police force in these areas. This shows that the state government was more compassionate towards the police rather the tribals.

The letter also stated that as the authorities of the Balimela Dam had kept excess water in the reservoir to generate more electricity, the overflowing water from the reservoir has entered seven panchayats and damaged standing crop. The state government should provide compensation to the tribals of these panchayats towards the crop loss, it added.