Tricolour Hoisted For First Time In Odisha’s Maoist Hinterland

Malkangiri/Koraput: The national flag was hoisted for the first time in Maoist-infested Lalgarh area in Malkangiri district on Saturday morning.

The Tricolour was hoisted at a new BSF camp at Hantalaguda in Lalgarh, which has always been a Maoist bastion with the district administration and security forces being unable to venture into the area.

A team led by Malkangiri SP Rishikesh Dnyandeo Khilari and 9 BSF Battalion Commanding Officer Rudra Sunil Minja set up the camp, notwithstanding massive Maoist-sponsored protests in the area.

Talking to the media, the Malkangiri SP said, “The main purpose of the camp is to provide better security for the locals here. Out next target is to implement government-approved projects here for uplift of poor villagers.”

Also on Saturday, Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Abhay visited Koraput district and held a meeting on anti-Maoists operations and law and order.

The SPs of six districts and senior BSF and SOG officials were present at the meeting.

This was Abhay’s first visit to any district after assuming charge as DGP on December 9.