Odisha Police Ready To Thwart Maoist Move To Disrupt Polls: DGP

Cuttack: The Odisha Police is ready to thwart any attempt by the Left-wing extremists  (LWEs) to disrupt the ensuing Assembly and Lok Sabha polls beginning April 11, said Director General of Police (DGP) RP Sharma.

Stating that the outlawed CPI-Maoist outfit has been giving the threat to boycott the elections in line with their ideology of opposing the democratic process, the DGP said that the state this year had so far witnessed 13 incidents of Maoist violence in which four civilians were killed and one Maoist gunned down by the security personnel. “Apart from this, 15 Maoists have been arrested while three have surrendered,” he added.

Giving details about the encounter between the LWEs and the joint team of the SOG and DVF personnel inside the forest in the periphery of Nakudipara, Lingermaha, Janagarh and Rampadar area under Tumudibandh police limits in Kandhamal district on Wednesday morning, Sharma said following the exchange of fire that lasted for about half an hour, body of a woman Maoist was found. The security personnel later seized one .303 rifle, three hand grenades, one landmine, some explosive materials and several personal belongings of the Maoists.

“Efforts are on to establish the identity of the deceased cadre,” the DGP said, adding that the search operation is on in the area.