Maoists Resurface in Sambalpur District

SAMBALPUR: After a gap of more than a year, Maoists resurfaced in Sambalpur district, signalling their plans to regroup.

Sources said a group of Maoists descended on Aamkuni village under Dhama police limits of Sambalpur district on Saturday night. While three armed extremists with their faces covered and clad in black clothes entered the house of a villager Ajit Srikant Barua, at least three others stood guard outside the house. They demanded Barua to arrange food for 30 persons. When Barua expressed his helplessness, they demanded money from him for treatment of some of their cadres who had sustained injuries a few days back. The ultras  had reportedly told Barua that they would repay the money.

The ultras were conversing in Odia with a touch of Hindi. They left the house after Barua handed them just `600. Barua’s brother-in-law Ajay Siba Lakra was also present in the house, located on the outskirts of the village. However, it seems that the police are trying to underplay the incident with Dhama police registering a dacoity case under Section 395 IPC.

Additional SP, Sambalpur, Sushil Panigrahi said on receiving information, a team of Anti-Naxalite Operation group was sent to the spot and combing operation was on to nab the miscreants.  He, however, said confusion prevails over the identity of the miscreants and efforts are on to find out who they were.

The incident comes after DGP Sanjeev Marik had claimed during June 20  visit that Maoist presence in Sambalpur-Deogarh-Sundargarh division has weakened.

On April 4 last year, security forces and Maoists exchanged fire at the intersection of Landakote and Tampersingha Reserve Forest under Jujumura police limits in the district. There were no reports of any casualty or violence.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com