ANGUL: The Sambalpur-Deogarh-Sundargarh division of Maoists has made Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary its new transit route to operate between Kalahandi district and neighbouring Jharkhand.
This was disclosed by Deputy Inspector General (DIG), North Central Range, Yatindra Koyal, at a press meet here on Monday. Angul SP Rajesh Pandit, CRPF Commandant SK Pradhan were also present.
Briefing mediapersons about the encounter at Chutkei under Katarang Reserve Forest under Purunakote police limits, 30 kms from here, the DIG said at about 9 am on Sunday a patrolling team of Special Operation Group (SOG) detected about 25 armed cadres led by their leader Kunu Dehuri at Chutkei. The SOG ordered them to surrender introducing themselves as Odisha Police.
“The ultras, armed with latest weapons, instead opened fire on the SOG forcing the jawans to retaliate. The firing lasted for about 30 minutes and the Maoists fled from the spot leaving behind three wireless sets and other materials which were seized from the camp, the DIG added. There was no report of injury from security forces and no casualty or injury was learnt from Maoist side.
District SP said “Vigorous combing operation has been launched in the area under Purunakote police station to nab the rebels operating in Satkosia taking the advantage of the dense forests.”
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.