Amidst confusion over observance of the PLGA Week by the Maoists from December 2, reports pouring in point to the Week being already observed from November 24, it is learnt that six landmines planted by the Maoists were exploded in Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday. The mines targeted the security forces combing the sanctuary.
Though it was earlier reported that one landmine went off on Friday afternoon, sources say at least four exploded on the day and the security forces had a narrow escape.
The repeated occurrences have led to the CRPF’s 216 Battalion stationed in the district to intensify combing operation, Sunabeda Sanctuary is under the control of the Bargarh-Balangir-Mahasammund Divisional Committee, renamed Chhattisgarh-Odisha State Border Committee.
Sources said the security personnel had crossed Barkot and were about to climb towards Cherechaun inside the sanctuary that the Maoists, at the spot, triggered the blasts.
It is now believed that the Maoists were planting the landmines which they triggered on seeing the security forces.
With the Maoists daring to take on the security forces despite arrest of their conduits in Balangir district curtailing their activity, they have made their intentions of launching ‘Sangharsh’, clear.
This incident has exposed the areas under Maoists control in the district, besides Balangir and Bargarh have become volatile and it is time the security forces took control of things before they slip out of their hands.
In the aftermath of the explosions, an unexploded landmine was recovered. Nuapada SP Umashankar Das refused to share details on the operations.