SAMBALPUR: Apprehending trouble from Maoists, who celebrate Independence Day as Black Flag day, security has been beefed up in the region.
DIG (Northern Range), Sanjay Kumar, said the thrust will be on smooth movement of traffic, preventing hoisting of black flags, providing protection to people and ensuring that Independence Day is celebrated in all Government institutions that refrain from it following Maoists’ boycott call.
Elaborating on the special arrangements, Kumar said in Paikmal of Bargarh district, security has been augmented along the Paikmal-Nuapada road, which was blocked by Maoists by felling trees thereby preventing movement of vehicles. Road opening parties have been deployed and CRPF and SOG teams strategically placed in Gandhamardan hill range led by Deputy Commandant of CRPF.
Similar arrangement has also been made in Maoist infested Khaprakhol block by 189th Battalion of the CRPF. Special deployment has also been made in Shiva temple at Harishankar where a large number of devotees turn up on holidays.
Sambalpur SP Prateek Mohanty said CRPF has intensified combing in Maoists affected pockets and ground intelligence has been strengthened. Nuapada SP, Uma Shankar Dash, said security forces have been mobilised in sensitive pockets and steps are in place to ensure that any effort of the Maoists to unfurl black flag is thwarted. Following a series of exchange of fire between security forces and Maoists in the district, the Red Rebels have been maintaining a low profile.
Malkangiri: Massive security arrangements have been put in place in the district, especially in areas where the Minister of State (Ind) for Commerce and Transport, Ramesh Chandra Majhi, will hoist the Tricolour on Friday. In wake of Maoist’s bandh call, security has been scaled up. BSF jawans have been pressed into service to keep vigil at the DNK Ground here and surrounding areas where Majhi will hoist the Tricolour. Area domination operation has been intensified by BSF, District Voluntary Forces and Special Operation Group jawans in Kalimela, MV-79, Motu, Podia, Chitrakonda, Khairput, Mathili and Govindpali. Vehicles are being frisked at entry and exit points in the district.
Koraput: Inspector General of Police (south-western range) Yashwant Jethwa reviewed the security arrangements for the Independence Day with SP of Koraput on Thursday.
Areas where National Flags will be hoisted have been sanitised and bomb disposal squads pressed into service. Combing has been intensified in Narayanpatana, Bandhugam, Boipariguda, Potangi, Nandapur, Laxmipur.