Bhawanipatna: After lying low for four years, the Maoists launched a major offensive in Odisha’s Kalahandi district late Wednesday night.
According to sources, the Maoists went on a rampage at the place where road construction work was going on in Tal Pipili village near Pokharighati-Manaska under Bhawanipatna Sadar police station. They set fire to 6 vehicles including 3 tractors, 2 Tippers and one JCB type vehicle engaged in the works assigned to contractor Pramod Patnaik.
Before leaving the place, the Maoists of Odisha state committee pasted posters and hanged banners at the place. In the posters, they mentioned that they opposed the road works and threatened of violent actions if their instructions are not followed.
Following the incident, CRPF and police personnel reached the spot, which is 15 km from Bhawanipatna, and launched a combing operation in the nearby forest areas.
This is a major offensive by the banned outfit after 2018 incident. In January 2018, the Maoists had blown up a bridge in the district.
