ANGUL/JEYPORE: In two Maoist related incidents, the Red ultras were engaged in an exchange of fire with CRPF personnel in Angul and set fire to a mobile tower in Koraput district.
The encounter took place when the security forces raided a Maoist camp at Chutkei under Purunakote police station in Satkosia wildlife sanctuary of Angul district on Sunday. There was no report of injury from security forces but casualty or injury from Maoist side is not yet known, said Angul SP Rajesh Pandit.
“Following the exchange of fire, the Maoists fled. Wireless sets and other materials were seized from the camp. Combing operation has been intensified in the area under Purunakote police station,” Pandit said.
This was the second encounter between Maoists and security forces in the industrial district which was out of reach of the ultras till 2013. In 2013, an encounter had ensued in a jungle under Chhendipada police station. A camp of the Maoists was destroyed but they managed to flee.
The presence of Maoist cadres in dense forest of Satkosia sanctuary was reported three years ago. But in latter part of September this year, there were major movement of the armed cadres in some pockets of the sanctuary where they held regular meetings with the villagers. They also terrorised the forest staff. Since then, combing operation has been going on in the area.
Mobile Tower Burnt
On late Saturday night, the Maoists set fire to a mobile tower at Kathargada village under Ramgiri police station.
According sources, over 20 armed Maoists came to the village at night, damaged the electrical gadgets of the mobile power station and later torched the tower. They also left a poster at the spot stating that their act was a mark of protest against the private company’s efforts to spread mobile network in the area.
On being informed, a police team rushed to the spot on Sunday and inquired into the matter. Jeypore SDPO Rajendra Senapati said the Maoists had burnt the mobile tower to block the development activities in the area and create panic among the locals.
“It was a subversive act of Maoists as the communication network would curb their activities in the inaccessible pockets,” Senapati said.
Meanwhile, combing operation has been intensified by the BSF personnel in nearby Boipariguda, Tangniguda and Ramgiri.