Security Alert For Maoist Bandh Today In Odisha’s Malkangiri

Malkangiri: A high security alert has been sounded in the wake of a bandh called by Maoists in Malkangiri district on Monday.

Malkangiri SP Rishikesh D Khilari said personnel from the Special Operation Group (SOG) and BSF along with members of the District Voluntary Force have been engaged in search and combing operations in all sensitive areas to avert any untoward incident.

The Red rebels have called the bandh in protest against the death of two prominent cadres, including a woman, in an encounter with security personnel Singaram forest under Gajalmamudi panchayat on December 13.

Alleging that it was a fake encounter, secretary of the CPI-Maoist’s Andhra Pradesh Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) Kailash issued a statement calling upon people to “condemn the killings” and make the bandh a success, The New Indian Express reported.

The Maoist leader, however, added that all emergency services will be allowed during the bandh.

Kailash further alleged that police are illegally arresting people, torturing them in jail, forcing Maoist cadres to surrender and staging fake encounters after catching them.

“Earlier, police had caught military commander Kishor and killed him. Malkangiri police have also arrested some Maoists, but are yet to produce them in court,” the statement said.

On the other hand, the Malkangiri SP said the Maoists are making baseless and false allegations out of desperation after losing ground in the wake of several development works, including the opening of Gurupriya bridge, in the ‘Swabhiman Anchal’.

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