Maoists Oppose Gurupriya Bridge With Malkangiri Bandh Call

Malkangiri: Maoists have called for Malkangiri bandh on July 20 in protest against Gurupriya bridge and Polavaram irrigation project of Andhra Pradesh.

Handwritten posters and banners, bearing the name Malkangiri-Koraput-Visakhapatnam Border (MKVB) Divisional Committee of CPI(Maoist), were found in Malkangiri district, in which the rebels have opposed inauguration of the Gurupriya bridge over the Janbai river in the cut-off area of Chitakonda block.

Notably, the inauguration programme, which was scheduled to be held on July 18 by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, had to be postponed following heavy rain.

The Maoists mentioned that the bridge would not solve any of the problems that the people are facing now. They also accused the state government of having built the bridge to export minerals to foreign companies. “We are opposing the inauguration of the bridge, as it has been constructed to help export bauxite,” a poster read.

The banner, opposing the Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project, said, “The dam will displace Dalits, tribals and the poor of the region.”

They have also sought the cooperation of the locals to make the bandh successful.